Former Red Bull Racing driver, Pierre Gasly, has opened up about the emotional toll of his sudden exit from the team and has placed the blame on Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, and team principal, Oliver Mintzlaff.
Gasly, who was demoted to Red Bull’s sister team, Toro Rosso, mid-season last year, has revealed the impact of his unexpected departure from the top team. In an interview with a leading motorsport magazine, the French driver expressed his disappointment and frustration with the decision made by Red Bull.
“It was a shock for me. I was not expecting it at all. It was a tough pill to swallow,” Gasly said. “I had put in a lot of hard work and dedication to earn my place in Red Bull Racing, and to have it taken away from me without any warning was devastating.”
Gasly’s exit from Red Bull came after a string of underwhelming performances, which saw him struggle to keep up with his teammate, Max Verstappen. However, the 24-year-old believes that he was not given enough time to prove himself and that the team’s management did not support him enough.
“I feel like I was not given a fair chance to show my potential. I was constantly compared to Max, who is a fantastic driver, but we have different driving styles and it takes time to adapt to a new car,” Gasly explained. “I needed more time and support from the team, but unfortunately, that was not the case.”
Gasly also pointed fingers at Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, and team principal, Oliver Mintzlaff, for his sudden exit. He believes that their lack of communication and support played a significant role in his demotion.
“I was not given any explanation or feedback from Helmut or Oliver. They made the decision without even talking to me, which was very disappointing,” Gasly said. “I felt like I was just a number to them, and they did not care about my well-being or my career.”
Gasly’s comments have shed light on the often-criticized management style of Red Bull, which has been known for its ruthless approach towards its drivers. The team has a history of promoting young drivers to its top team and then quickly demoting them if they do not meet expectations.
Gasly’s exit from Red Bull has also raised questions about the team’s driver development program, which has been praised for producing talented drivers but has also been criticized for its harsh treatment of young drivers.
Despite the disappointment and frustration, Gasly remains positive and motivated for the upcoming season with Toro Rosso, now known as AlphaTauri. He sees this as an opportunity to prove himself and show his potential as a driver.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue racing in Formula 1 with AlphaTauri. I have a great team behind me, and I am determined to make the most of this chance,” Gasly said. “I have learned a lot from my time at Red Bull, and I am ready to use that experience to become a better driver.”
Gasly’s exit from Red Bull may have been a setback, but it has not dampened his spirits. He remains determined to prove his critics wrong and show that he belongs in Formula 1. With a positive attitude and a strong work ethic, Gasly is ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead and make the most of his second chance in the sport.
