Pierre Gasly replaces Kvyat from Malaysia

After 4 years spent within the Red Bull Junior Team, Pierre Gasly gets his chance in Formula One starting at the Malaysian Grand Prix with Toro Rosso. Initially planned in place of Carlos Sainz, he will finally replace the Russian Daniil Kvyat. The reason comes from Jolyon Palmer who seems to have managed to keep his seat at Renault for the entire season after his points scored in Singapore.

« I would like to thank everyone who helped me get this chance in motorsport and especially Red Bull, Doctor Helmut Marko and Toro Rosso… it’s a great opportunity for me, comments the Rouennais.

« I feel more ready than ever, having prepared myself for any opportunity as the third Red Bull driver. I will do my best to bring the best possible results to the Team Toro Rosso during the next races. »

The last GP2 Series champion will find as a teammate his rival for the 3.5 Formula Renault 2014 championship, Carlos Sainz Jr. If he should finish the season with the Italian team, the question of the United States Grand Prix remains unresolved since he fell during the last round of Super Formula in Japan and the Frenchman was only half a point behind the leader.

« He is next in line for Red Bull and he has proven he deserves this promotion with the GP2 title in 2016 and a very good season in Super Formula in Japan, adds Franz Tost.

« This driver change gives us an opportunity to take a clearer look at driver selection for 2018. This will allow us to evaluate Pierre on track during a real race weekend. »

Although he remains in the Red Bull fold, Daniil Kvyat has not given enough satisfaction to continue with Toro Rosso, the Russian having accumulated only 4 points in 2017, 44 fewer than Sainz.