Gasly’s Red Bull frustration not ‘related to Perez’
Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly talking at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix press conference. Azerbaijan June 2021
Pierre Gasly says despite being frustrated Red Bull have not given him another chance, he is not angry with Sergio Perez.
Since being dropped by Red Bull and sent back to the ‘sister’ AlphaTauri team midway through the 2019 season, Gasly has been one of the most impressive drivers on the grid.
Given that and the fact Perez has struggled alongside Max Verstappen this year, the Frenchman was hoping to be given another chance himself next season and was not too pleased when the team decided to keep Checo instead, expressing his anger after the Dutch Grand Prix.
“Red Bull prefers to continue with Sergio,” he told Canal Plus.
“It’s true that when you see the performances, especially last weekend in Zandvoort, when he was out in Q1 and finished eighth, one lap behind his team-mate, and was the best driver of the grand prix [Driver of the Day], there are certain things you don’t really understand.”
However, he has no hard feelings towards the Mexican specifically – and was keen to clarify that when they sat alongside each other at the press conference in Turkey.
“I think to put everything back in the right space, nothing was related to Sergio,” said Gasly.
“It was more my case and my relationship with Red Bull in my personal contract and for my future.
“I think I have performed at a very good level at Toro Rosso [AlphaTauri], better than I did in 2018 when I was given the opportunity. Performing at a better level, more experienced.
“I felt based on this year I could have deserved a better chance, but that is the decision – it doesn’t stop my motivation.”
checkin' out the Istanbul Park sights 👌 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/QCAyqwJUbQ
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) October 7, 2021
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Many expect Gasly to leave the Red Bull family altogether once another interesting seat opens up, given their reluctance to give him another chance.
He maintains his main focus is on winning titles with them though.
“Being in Sergio’s position, as part of a career perspective, my goal is to be at Red Bull and it is no surprise I want to be in a car which allows me to fight for wins and podiums,” he added.
“That will be my target because that is what I am working for every morning, working on myself, trying to be a better driver, trying to win races and that is the goal.
“They have made their decision, I am happy for them. They are having a very successful season.
“I will keep pushing and try to get my chance in the future because that is what I want – I want to fight for a World Championship.”
