Marko rules out mid-season replacement for Gasly
- Published on 30 Jul 2019 11:09
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has affirmed that Red Bull will not replace Pierre Gasly before the end of the 2019 season.
Gasly has endured a tough season with the energy drink squad, his first with the team having stepped up after Daniel Ricciardo departed Red Bull for Renault.
In Germany, Gasly crashed out in the final laps of the race while battling Alexander Albon, putting further doubt over his short term future at Red Bull.
But Marko has moved to squash any rumors suggesting that he could decide to take Gasly out of the team and replace him with another driver.
"We will not change anything this year. We will be driving these drivers until the end of the year," Marko told Motorsport-Total.com.
Team principal Christian Horner says that Gasly had a difficult race with some factors not coming from him, but admitted frustration over not gaining much amid Ferrari's struggles as it eyes second place in the constructors' championship.
"He had a strong qualifying, but then a difficult first pit stop. We had a problem with the right front wheel nut and then they had to hold him as a whole queue of cars came in.
"But he was recovering well and on the last restart, he passed Vettel but went wide three consecutive times at Turn 1, so the others got past him.
"And then racing with Albon, they tripped over each other, which was frustrating because there was a good opportunity today to take a lot of points out of Ferrari. Instead of taking 20 or so points out of them, we've only taken seven or eight."
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Replies (9)
Login to replyKean
Posts: 692
Wild silly season theory: Given RBR's history with lack of patience, it seems strange that Gasly isn't replaced. Logically they'd put Kvyat in there unless they fear he'll perform just as bad as Gasly. Or perhaps they just don't want to mess with Kvyat, maybe they don't want to put Kvyat in Gasly's seat only to bump him down again when Vettel joins in 2020.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Or, they don't want to put pressure on VER as they have a clear number 2 that isn't threatening him with Gasly. Kvyat would probably be able to beat him.
Patentprutser
Posts: 390
@samantha. Are you serious, Kvyat beat Max. I think Marko knows that there is no one in his driver pool who is at Max’ level. Gasly is already destroyed, he doesn’t want to that with another driver at the moment because Kvyat and Albon are doing a good job at STR
Kean
Posts: 692
Or perhaps they figure that even if Kvyat performs better than Gasly, they'll likely end up third in the championship anyhow. But with Kvyat remaining in Toro Rosso, instead of Gasly in Toro Rosso, then Toro Rosso has a better chance in ending up 5th instead of 8th or 9th.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Well there goes my prediction. I really though Gasly would be replaced mid season. Even more after the German gp. But honestly, I, am a bit shocked that Marko gives that guarantee so, early
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I agree, after Hockenheim I was certain he'd be Order 66'd. Though it still ain't too late. Dr.Doom's impatience is not to be underestimated, and his ability to go back on his words is only matched by the likes of Abiteboul.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
you were right ,,,
xoya
Posts: 583
Maybe they won't replace so that they can let Helmut EXECUTE him at the end of the season?
FINISH HIM! Mortal kombat style. LoL
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Hahaha! That's why I keep mentioning Order 66. I just imagine Marko getting tired of him during one race, and just radios to Kvyat "initiate Order 66", at which point Kvyat will:
A: violently ram into Gasly as a literal torpedo, blowing the RBH up
B: overtake Gasly (not that hard) and spill oil from his car so Gasly rams a wall
C: Kvyat pushes a button, and a hatch opens to reveal a submachinegun firing Red Bull cans at mach speeds at Gasly, the cans damaging the car and the energy drink (read toxic waste) makes Gasly insane, believing he is now a rubber ducky