Red Bull Criticised by Former Driver Over ‘Lack of Support’ During Difficult F1 Spell
Former Red Bull driver Pierre Gasly has spoken candidly about his short and turbulent spell at the Milton Keynes-based Formula 1 team, accusing the organisation of failing to provide him with the backing and resources needed to succeed alongside Max Verstappen.
Gasly was promoted to Red Bull Racing ahead of the 2019 season after Daniel Ricciardo’s surprise departure to Renault. At the time, expectations were high. The Frenchman had impressed during his time at Red Bull’s junior outfit, then known as Toro Rosso, and was viewed as a potential long-term partner for Verstappen as the team sought stability in its second seat.
However, the move quickly unravelled. Gasly struggled to match Verstappen’s pace and consistency during the opening half of the 2019 campaign. While the Dutchman claimed three race victories and nine podium finishes in the first 12 races, Gasly failed to secure a single podium. The contrast in performance proved costly, and Red Bull made the ruthless decision to replace him midway through the season.
After just 12 races, Gasly was demoted back to Toro Rosso, with Alex Albon taking his place at the senior team for the remainder of the year. The decision was widely debated within the F1 paddock, with some questioning whether Gasly had been given enough time or support to adapt to one of the most demanding seats in the sport.
Speaking recently on the F1 Off the Grid podcast, Gasly reflected on that period and admitted the experience was deeply disappointing.
“I’m not going to lie, it was sad,” Gasly said. “It was my second year in Formula 1, and suddenly I found myself in a very big team where all the support was clearly focused on Max. That made sense because he was delivering results, but on my side, I didn’t have what I needed.”
Gasly revealed that his situation was further complicated by changes within his engineering setup. He explained that he was paired with an engineer who had come from Formula E and lacked Formula 1 experience, creating an unusual and challenging working dynamic.
“The tools just weren’t there for me to be competitive,” he added. “I was trying to fight in my own way because at the end of the day, I’m here to perform. But I could see that I wasn’t able to show my true potential.”
Although Red Bull were dissatisfied with his results, Gasly insisted the feeling was mutual, as he believed the environment did not allow him to thrive or develop at the level required.
Despite the setback, Gasly responded impressively after returning to Toro Rosso. Later in the 2019 season, he secured his first career podium with a remarkable second-place finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The resurgence continued the following year when he claimed a stunning maiden Formula 1 victory at the Italian Grand Prix in 2020, underlining his talent and resilience.
Even so, it became increasingly clear that Gasly would not be offered a second chance at Red Bull Racing. With no clear path back to the senior team, he chose to leave the Red Bull driver programme altogether and joined Alpine, where he continues to compete in Formula 1.
Gasly’s comments have reignited discussion about Red Bull’s long-standing struggles with its second driver position. Since the departure of Ricciardo in 2018, the team has repeatedly failed to find a consistent partner capable of matching Verstappen over a full season.
Albon, who replaced Gasly in 2019, was himself dropped at the end of the 2020 campaign. Red Bull then turned to Sergio Perez, bringing in an experienced driver from outside their junior programme. The move initially paid off, providing stability and support during Verstappen’s championship-winning seasons.
However, Perez’s form declined in his later years with the team, and he was eventually released at the end of the 2024 season. Since then, Red Bull have experimented with multiple options, including Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, but neither managed to establish themselves convincingly.
Tsunoda has since been replaced by highly rated rookie Isack Hadjar for the 2026 season, as Red Bull once again search for the right formula alongside Verstappen.
Whether Hadjar can succeed where others have struggled remains to be seen. There is also uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s own long-term future at the team beyond 2026, adding another layer of intrigue to Red Bull’s evolving driver situation.
For Gasly, however, the past is firmly behind him. His story stands as both a cautionary tale about the pressures of elite Formula 1 teams and a reminder that careers can be rebuilt—even after being cast aside at the highest level.
