We’re only about two thirds through the 2018 Formula One World Championship, but already the music has stopped and drivers are shuffling to new teams. This includes Red Bull Racing, which has just announced who’ll be driving its cars next season.
Following Daniel Ricciardo’s departure for Renault, the energy-drink-sponsored team has confirmed that it’s calling Pierre Gasly up from Toro Rosso to fill his place.
A winner of the 2016 GP2 title and the 2013 Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup, Gasly first tested with Red Bull in 2015. He made his grand prix debut with the associated Scuderia Toro Rosso towards the end of last season, and has been driving for the team this year as well – achieving an impressive fourth-place finish in Bahrain this past April.
Now called up to the A-team, Gasly will drive alongside Max Verstappen, who similarly moved up from Toro Rosso midway through the 2016 season, promptly winning the Spanish Grand Prix and three more since. Gasly’s promotion means that Toro Rosso will have to find another driver to partner with Brendon Hartley next season (assuming he’s kept on board).
“To be awarded a drive at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing from 2019 is a dream come true for me, I’m so excited to be joining this top Team,” said Gasly. “It has been my goal to race for this Team since I joined the Red Bull Junior Driver Programme in 2013, and this incredible opportunity is another step forward in my ambition to win Grands Prix and compete for World Championships.”
“Since Pierre first stepped into a Formula One seat with Scuderia Toro Rosso less than a year ago he has proved the undoubted talent that Red Bull has nurtured since his early career,” added team principal Christian Horner. “While our immediate focus remains fully on achieving our best result in the 2018 World Championship, we look forward to competing in 2019 with Max and Pierre at the wheel of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.”