Gasly makes Tsunoda Red Bull promotion claim

Pierre Gasly believes Yuki Tsunoda should get a chance at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, but has pointed out he is "not Helmut Marko".

Tsunoda is enjoying his strongest F1 season to-date and was rewarded with a new RB contract for next season earlier this year. 

The RB driver has scored 10 more points than team-mate Daniel Ricciardo and has been one of the strongest midfield drivers this campaign. 

Gasly partnered Tsunoda at the Red Bull sister team in 2021 and 2022, so has seen how quick the Japanese driver is. 

The two drivers remain friends despite Gasly now competing for Alpine, with the Frenchman being aware of Tsunoda's frustration that he is yet to be promoted to Red Bull.

“I always said Yuki is very fast,” said Gasly, as per Autosport. “I have seen it. He has proved it over the past few seasons and he will continue to prove it.

“I have talked to him about it, we have had conversations and I know he wants more and feels he deserves more.

“It’s not an easy position. Personally, I would have liked him to get a chance at Red Bull, but I am not Helmut Marko.”

Gasly understands how Tsunoda is feeling after experiencing a similar situation with Red Bull. After he was demoted from Red Bull mid-2019, Gasly went on to perform exceptionally well for RB. 

No matter how well Gasly performed, he was never considered by the Milton Keynes-based outfit again, which ultimately led to the driver leaving the Red Bull family and joining Alpine.

“I have been in a similar position to him,” said Gasly. “What I say to him is: ‘Just keep doing what you are doing. As long as you are competitive, at some point you will get the right place’.”