As Sergio Perez faces an uncertain future with Red Bull Racing following a lackluster F1 2024 season, a potential opening for a new teammate to Max Verstappen is emerging. However, Pierre Gasly, who once struggled alongside Verstappen at Red Bull, will not be returning to the team, according to Giedo van der Garde, a former Caterham F1 driver. Van der Garde claims that Gasly’s return to the senior team would be disastrous, suggesting that Verstappen would “destroy” Gasly if the Frenchman were to take on the challenge again.
Pierre Gasly’s Struggles at Red Bull
Pierre Gasly’s time at Red Bull Racing was brief and tumultuous. After being promoted from Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) to replace Daniel Ricciardo in 2019, Gasly quickly found himself struggling to match the pace of Verstappen. By the summer break, Red Bull decided to demote Gasly back to the junior team, where he remained until his move to Alpine in 2023.
Despite this, Red Bull now faces the prospect of replacing Sergio Perez, who has faced criticism for his underperformance. Gasly, who is now settled at Alpine, might seem like a potential candidate to return to the senior team, but van der Garde dismisses that idea entirely.
Why Gasly Should Stay at Alpine
Van der Garde firmly believes that Gasly should avoid any temptation to rejoin Red Bull, as the risk of being overshadowed by Verstappen would be detrimental to his career. Speaking on De Race Show, van der Garde stated:
“They will never do that. They will never do that. Gasly is a good fit for Alpine, and he certainly doesn’t want to touch Max Verstappen because he will be destroyed. He won’t do that. He’s in a fantastic position.”
Gasly has found a comfortable home at Alpine, where he is a key figure in the team’s efforts to challenge at the front of the grid. Given the intense pressure and often brutal comparison to Verstappen, returning to Red Bull might undo the progress Gasly has made in establishing himself as a top driver at Alpine.
Liam Lawson: The Likely Red Bull Choice
While Gasly’s return is ruled out, Liam Lawson, currently in his first full season as a Red Bull reserve driver, has emerged as the frontrunner to fill Perez’s seat. Lawson has impressed with his performances in the limited races he has had this season and is seen as a promising talent within the Red Bull driver program.
Van der Garde suggests that Lawson is a more natural fit for Red Bull, as he is untested but could rise to the challenge of partnering Verstappen. With Yuki Tsunoda also impressing in his fourth season with AlphaTauri, there is an opportunity for Red Bull to choose someone who could thrive under the team’s unique setup.
Yuki Tsunoda: A Strong Option for Red Bull
Another potential candidate for the Red Bull Racing seat is Yuki Tsunoda, who has shown considerable progress over the past few seasons. Tsunoda’s positive feedback from his recent test in the 2024 RB20 has not gone unnoticed. The Japanese driver, who has been with AlphaTauri since 2021, expressed how the RB20 felt like a good match for his driving style, something that had eluded previous drivers like Gasly and Alex Albon. Tsunoda’s adaptability and consistent performances in 2024 have put him on Red Bull’s radar.
In a recent statement, Tsunoda shared his thoughts on driving the RB20 in the Abu Dhabi post-season test:
“The Abu Dhabi post-season test has been so fun today, it’s the first time in the past four years that I have driven a different car. You can physically feel why the RB20 has been fighting for a championship this year, it feels like a very different car to drive.”
Tsunoda’s ease in adapting to the car and his consistent feedback show that he could be a strong contender for the seat at Red Bull in 2025.
Gasly’s Future: Where Does He Belong?
While Gasly’s return to Red Bull seems highly unlikely, his current position at Alpine offers him the stability and opportunity to continue developing his career. His focus should remain on competing at the highest level with Alpine, where he has the chance to build a long-term future.
In contrast, Red Bull seems to be leaning towards a future with Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda, both of whom are seen as having the right attributes to support Verstappen and challenge for titles in the future. Gasly’s time with Red Bull is behind him, and he is better positioned to continue his work with Alpine, rather than risk a repeat of his struggles alongside Verstappen at Red Bull Racing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pierre Gasly’s hopes of returning to Red Bull have been extinguished, with Giedo van der Garde asserting that a second stint alongside Max Verstappen would end badly for him. As Sergio Perez faces an exit from the team, the options for his replacement are becoming clearer. Liam Lawson appears to be the most likely candidate, while Yuki Tsunoda could also be a potential contender. For Gasly, staying at Alpine seems to be his best path forward, where he can continue to build on his current success.
