Gasly shocked by his demotion but looking to the future

He knew he was eagerly awaited for this resumption Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. He was. In the middle of a forest of cameras and microphones, Pierre Gasly tried to put on a good face after his demotion at Toro Rosso.

He learned the bad news “by a phone call from Helmut Marko at 08:42 a.m.” the morning of the promotionAlbon on the side of Red Bull Racing, specifies the Norman. The joys of famous Austrian management.

A full house for @PierreGASLY's media session. It's going to be a busy few hours! #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/5IrmX5LroA

— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) August 29

“It was a shock and a big disappointment; this contradicted what I had previously been told in Budapest, adds Gasly, who thought his place was assured at least until the end of 2019. Everything was clear and had been discussed.”

The Rouennais did not wish to comment in detail on the decision in front of the pack of journalists present at the Red Bull/Toro Rosso reception. However, he readily acknowledges “errors of (her) go " but specifies that “we are all responsible for the lack of performance” over the first half of the season.

“That’s in the past now and I prefer to focus on the present and the future, he continued. It doesn't matter whether I understand the decision or not, it won't change the matter. I'm not going to waste my energy on this. The only thing that matters to me is to deliver good performances in the nine races ahead. I want to give my best with Toro Rosso”.

Back at work with my Italian family.
Pronto per Spa. pic.twitter.com/oslxWYqiKb

— PIERRE GASLY (@PierreGASLY) August 27

The recent example of Daniil Kvyat, sent back to the red bull junior stable at the start of 2016 to make room for the star Max Verstappen, shows that it can be complicated to bounce back after such a shock.

“This is one of the strengths that a top athlete must have.”, retorts Gasly when asked about the subject.

From his brief stint with Red Bull, the former GP2 Series champion ensures he remembers “a lot of positive things, lots of technical things, and a lot of experience that will help me grow. We will also have to learn from the negative to prevent this from happening again.”

Despite the unfortunate outcome of his short stay in Milton Keynes, Gasly remains grateful to his employer. « They gave me my chance F1 and without them I wouldn't be where I am today, he concluded. I am under contract and my future lies with them.”

Still according to Gasly, Red Bull has left the door open for a possible return to the parent team. But we now know what the words of the powerhouses of the energy can are worth…