Pierre Gasly is open to snubbing his long-awaited Red Bull return, saying that if another top team comes calling, he will consider it.
Gasly had a great season for AlphaTauri, and routinely overachieved in the car given to him. His performances in qualifying and on Sundays were very impressive indeed, with the Frenchman being one of the best drivers of the season.
The former Red Bull driver finished ninth in the Drivers’ Championship. He was only five points behind Daniel Ricciardo, which is a big achievement. At some point, Red Bull will come calling for him, but it seems the driver has other ideas.
Gasly revealed that he was open to snubbing a Red Bull return, saying that he would be interested in a move to another top team.
“I think it’s clearly a key move,” he said, as quoted by Planet F1.
“We will have to see what the view of Red Bull is over the next two years because now it’s been eight years I’ve been with them. It’s a long time.
“Obviously, at the moment they have a very competitive car. I need to see what they do with Max (Verstappen) and how they will move forward, but obviously I need to think also about my career.
“I’m still very young, I’m 25, but my goal is to be in the first seat once these guys look at who can be a replacement. At the moment, I’m ninth in the Drivers’ Championship.
“All eight guys ahead of me are the drivers running for the four best constructors. That’s why it’s important for me to show that if there is a free seat, I should be the obvious choice. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
Priorities
“First of all, obviously, my priority is with Red Bull, but at the moment they have decided to continue with Sergio (Perez),” he continued.
“I don’t know what they are going to plan. They are saying probably 2023 there could be an option.
“I’ll try to put myself in the best position for that, but it’s a discussion we know we will have next year with Red Bull.”
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