Alpine driver Pierre Gasly has experienced firsthand that a Formula 1 cockpit can quickly degenerate into an ejector seat. He therefore still needs to talk to Red Bull Motorsport boss Helmut Marko.
Years later, Pierre Gasly still reflects on his less than successful time as a Red Bull driver, as he confessed in the “Beyond the Grid” podcast. The 27-year-old hopes to have the chance to talk about it with Dr. “one day.” Helmut Marko, one of the decision-makers at the Bulls, to be able to speak at length again.
“It wasn’t really fair, but that’s the way it was. I also learned that sport isn’t always fair,” the Frenchman looked back, although he also emphasized that “smart people” work at the world champion racing team.
Gasly began his Formula 1 career during the 2017 season at Red Bull’s sister racing team Toro Rosso, now AlphaTauri. He was promoted for the 2019 season, which allowed him to drive alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
F1 driver Gasly now has a lot of experience
But during the summer break, Pierre Gasly was demoted again and swapped with Alex Albon. He only finished in the top five twice during his Red Bull days – not enough for the top team’s high standards. The season ended in seventh place in the drivers’ standings.
After three more years in the Red Bull cosmos, he moved to Alpine at the beginning of the year, where he took over Fernando Alonso’s cockpit.
Gasly ultimately “closed” the Red Bull chapter at the moment he made his move from AlphaTauri to Alpine. “And I think I have now reached a level of experience, skill and mindfulness that, thanks to my previous experiences, allows me to be better today than I was in the past.”
With his new team, the Frenchman has been able to reach the podium once so far, when he secured third place at the Dutch Grand Prix. Two races before the end of the season he is in tenth place in the drivers’ standings.