Imagine being thrust into the spotlight, only to be unceremoniously pushed aside just months later. That’s exactly what happened to Pierre Gasly during his tumultuous stint as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing. Now, years later, Gasly is finally opening up about the lack of support he felt during that painful demotion—a story that sheds light on the harsh realities of Formula 1’s high-stakes world.
In 2019, the French driver was handpicked by Red Bull to replace the outgoing Daniel Ricciardo, stepping into one of the most coveted seats on the grid alongside Verstappen. But here’s where it gets controversial: Gasly’s time at the senior team lasted just 12 races before he was demoted to the sister team, then known as Toro Rosso. The reason? Underperformance, with Gasly scoring a mere 63 points compared to Verstappen’s commanding 181. Alex Albon took his place for the remainder of the season, leaving Gasly to pick up the pieces.
But this is the part most people miss: Gasly claims he received “no support” during his time at Red Bull, a stark contrast to the backing Verstappen enjoyed. In a candid interview with F1.com, Gasly reflected on the challenges of 2019, his second year in Formula 1. “It was sad,” he admitted. “I was starting with a new engineer from Formula E who had no F1 experience. It was a strange dynamic. I wasn’t given the tools to perform, and I felt like I was fighting alone.”
Despite the negativity, Gasly’s resilience paid off. After returning to Toro Rosso, he secured his first F1 podium at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix and followed it up with a stunning maiden victory at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix—a moment of redemption that silenced his critics. Since then, the 29-year-old has solidified his place as one of the midfield’s strongest drivers, adding three more podium finishes to his resume.
Fast forward to 2025, and Gasly found himself in another challenging situation. Alpine, his current team, finished dead last in the constructors’ championship with the slowest car on the grid. Yet, Gasly still managed to score 22 points—the team’s entire tally for the season. Is this a testament to his skill, or a sign of deeper issues within the team?
Gasly’s journey raises thought-provoking questions about team dynamics, driver support, and the pressure to perform in Formula 1. Did Red Bull fail him, or was his demotion justified? And what does his success at Alpine say about his ability to thrive under adversity? Let’s spark a conversation—what’s your take on Gasly’s story? Agree or disagree, share your thoughts in the comments below!
