Pierre Gasly’s Heart-Wrenching Red Bull Experience: “No Support and No Tools to Succeed!”
In an explosive revelation, Pierre Gasly has laid bare the struggles he faced during his tumultuous tenure at Red Bull, a period he describes as void of support and resources necessary for success. The talented French driver, who once dazzled in the junior racing scene, found himself floundering under the immense pressure of competing alongside Max Verstappen in one of the most competitive environments in Formula 1.
Gasly’s journey began with great promise; he clinched the GP2 title in 2016 and followed it up with a stellar runner-up finish in Super Formula. He made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2017, and in a twist of fate, was promoted to Red Bull Racing as Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement. “Right after Budapest, Daniel announced he was leaving,” Gasly recounted, emphasizing the shock he felt upon receiving the call that would change his career. “I remember arriving in Greece for my holiday, and it was like, ‘Whoa, Daniel is going.’”
Yet, what should have been a thrilling step up quickly turned sour. Gasly struggled to find his footing in the team, overshadowed by Verstappen’s dominance. With a best race finish of only fourth place at Silverstone, the Red Bull management’s dissatisfaction became palpable. “I’m not going to lie, it was sad,” Gasly admitted, reflecting on a year that left him feeling isolated. “There was no support from anywhere in a very big team which is very much supporting Max – for good reasons, because he’s put on the results.”
Gasly’s challenges were compounded by a lack of experienced guidance. “I was starting with a fresh engineer coming from Formula E who didn’t have experience in F1,” he explained, highlighting the unusual dynamics that hindered his performance. “I wasn’t really given the tools to really perform.”
His departure back to Toro Rosso marked a painful chapter in Gasly’s career. “They were not happy, but I’m not happy too because I could see I couldn’t show my potential,” he lamented, summing up his frustration with the situation. However, resilience shone through as Gasly rebuilt his career, ultimately securing his first Grand Prix victory in Monza in 2020.
After years of intense struggles and a lack of a clear pathway back to Red Bull Racing, Gasly made the tactical decision to join Alpine for the 2023 season. Despite facing challenges with an underperforming car, he remains optimistic about the future, especially with major changes looming for the team in 2026. “I’m very optimistic on the car we are putting together,” Gasly stated confidently, as Alpine prepares to switch to Mercedes engines amid significant regulations changes.
As the world of Formula 1 gears up for a new era, Gasly’s journey underscores the intense pressures and stark realities drivers face within elite teams. His story is a testament to resilience, highlighting the determination needed to overcome a lack of support and flourish in a fiercely competitive sport. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely as Gasly aims to turn his fortunes around and reclaim his position among the racing elite.
