Pierre Gasly insists he will not end up like Daniil Kvyat in case he gets a chance to step up to the race seat at Red Bull for 2019.
Daniel Ricciardo will leave Red Bull at the end of the current season to join Renault F1 team. So Max Verstappen will need a new partner.
Carlos Sainz Jr. and Pierre Gasly are the two most viable choices available to Red Bull next year.
Gasly is currently driving for Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso and has given a few impressive races in the first half of the season. There is an undercurrent of tension between Verstappen and Sainz. And the Spaniard will not be a willing ‘wingman’ to the Dutchman. So the chances of Gasly getting the second seat at Red Bull are quite high.
Speaking with Spanish daily Marca, Gasly said he would love to go to Red Bull, but no decision has been taken on the issue yet.
“Yes, I would like that but I’m not thinking about it too much,” said Gasly.
“I am happy with my season so far at Toro Rosso, I’m happy to be here. At the moment, nothing is decided, I think.”
“It’s a similar situation to Carlos. We’re both waiting to see what happens.”
The situation is not new for Red Bull. In 2014, after Sebastian Vettel’s departure, his seat was filled by Daniil Kvyat. But within a few months, the Russian was dropped back into the junior squad to make way for Verstappen.
Gasly does not think the same thing happen with him.
“No. If I’m fast, I’ll have my chance,” he insisted.
“I need to focus, make sure I’m fast and the rest will come.
“It depends how you see things. Look at Red Bull and all the drivers who did not reach the first team, or look at Verstappen, Vettel, Ricciardo and the others who were successful.”
“I don’t care what teammate I have next season, because if I want to be the best, I have to fight against the best.
“It’s my first season in F1 and I’m 22, so I am happy to stay at Toro Rosso if they need me. But of course, I want to fight for the championship as soon as possible.”
