Pierre Gasly says he feels he deserves another chance to drive for Red Bull – and insists his form for AlphaTauri this year was better than when he was last on the senior squad.
Gasly was promoted from Toro Rosso to Red Bull in 2019 but was relegated back to the junior squad mid-season. Since then, Alex Albon has taken over the wheel – only to be replaced by ex-Racing Point driver Sergio Perez in 2021. But the Frenchman shone after finishing on the podium this season and 2019, winning the Italian Grand Prix in 2020.
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With Perez set to stay at Red Bull with a contract extension in which he will drive for the team until 2022, Gasly was asked if he deserved a call-up instead.
“Yes, I think I played at a very good level this season, better than in 2018 when I was given the opportunity, a better level, more experience and based on this year I could have earned a better chance,” he said called. “But that’s the decision, it doesn’t stop my motivation, I was in Sergio’s position, it’s obviously part of a career prospect.”
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“My goal is to be with Red Bull and that’s no surprise, I want to be in a car that will allow me to fight for wins and podiums,” he added. “That will always be the goal, that’s what I work for every morning, work on myself, try to be a better driver, to win races, and that’s the goal.
“So you’ve made your decision, I’m happy for you that you have a very successful season. [I will] Keep putting the pressure on and try to take my chance in the future, because that’s what I want to fight for a world championship. “
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So great was his form, Gasly has 74 points and only needs one more to dwarf his 2020 75 points for AlphaTauri. He could do that at the United States Grand Prix this weekend.
“I haven’t had any great races in Austin, the best was tenth place the last time we were there,” he said, referring to the race at the Circuit of The Americas. “I’m not really worried about that, because our car is working well everywhere at the moment and we just have to avoid any problems that lurk in ambush so that we can continue to catch up with Alpine in the championship.”
AlphaTauri are 12 points behind Alpine in their battle for fifth place overall, which would be a top championship result for them (or their previous Toro Rosso incarnation) if they managed to outshine the Anglo-French team.
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