Can Pierre Gasly return to Red Bull in 2021, and should he?

With his first career victory at the Italian Grand Prix this Sunday, September 6 with AlphaTauri, it is interesting to discuss the possibility of Pierre Gasly returning to the main Red Bull team.

Since he was replaced in August 2018 by Alexander Albon, it must be acknowledged that the French driver has recovered from his demotion at Toro Rosso.

An incredible dynamic

At the end of 2019, Pierre Gasly scored 32 points in 9 races. His teammate, the Russian Daniil Kvyat, had obtained… 10! In these nine events with the Italian team, the native of Rouen notably achieved his first career podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix, with a 2nd place position behind Verstappen.

With his victory at Monza, Gasly is currently ranked 8th in the 2020 drivers’ standings with 43 points, five units behind… his replacement at Red Bull, Alexander Albon, with 48 points driving the Red Bull Honda! Albon’s best result this season was a 4th place finish at the Styrian Grand Prix, not counting his various issues in qualifying. So much so that Verstappen is ahead of his teammate by 62 points!

Opposite, the maturity acquired by Gasly over the last 12 months lends credibility to a return to Red Bull. The 2016 GP2 champion has also set himself a rule: not to publicly dwell on the conditions of his demotion last year.

Corporate with his former employer, who nonetheless did not spare him, does Gasly have a chance to return to Red Bull? The leaders are clear: no question of changing the line-up!

These are not in our plans. We want to make AlphaTauri a stronger team in the future, with a solid leader, like Gasly, Helmut Marko stated in the Monza paddock after the victory.

The head of the Red Bull program even publicly defends Albon: « The criticism of Albon is not fair. He has been unlucky this year, and we have also made strategic mistakes that have affected his performances.

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Helmut Marko: « we want to make AlphaTauri a stronger team in the future, with a solid leader, like Gasly. »

Albon VS Gasly

However, the Albon-Gasly comparison is clear, and in Gasly’s favor this season. In his defense, Albon could have achieved a podium and even a victory in Austria during the first 2020 Grand Prix, if he hadn’t collided with Hamilton.

Also, Albon performed very well during the nine Grand Prix with Red Bull last year. However, in eight Grand Prix with Red Bull in 2020, his results are less impressive than last year, and the gap with Verstappen has increased. Yet, the Thai driver is working with Simon Rennie, the race engineer for Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo during their time at Red Bull! Pierre Gasly did not have this advantage in 2019, as he worked with Mike Lugg, an inexperienced engineer.

On his part, while he doesn’t speak publicly about it, Pierre Gasly did note after his victory « that he hopes to be rewarded » by Red Bull Racing.

However, does Red Bull want to go back and bring Gasly alongside the prodigy Verstappen? Taking back Gasly would also be a disavowal for Christian Horner, who had supported the Frenchman at the beginning of the summer of 2019… before demoting him a few weeks later. And for the tricolor driver, what guarantees? Gasly served as a laboratory car last year and did not have the new parts, which went to Verstappen’s car.

No real opportunity for 2021

Today, the trend is status quo for Gasly. Despite his victory, the Frenchman has no other opportunities for 2021: Mercedes has confirmed Bottas and will likely want to keep Hamilton – Red Bull is expected to retain its drivers. Meanwhile, McLaren, Aston Martin (formerly Racing Point), Renault, and Ferrari have confirmed their line-ups for the next season. These are the 6 teams ahead of AlphaTauri in the constructors’ standings!

The only opportunities for Gasly actually remain with Haas and Alfa Romeo, two teams powered by Ferrari, which have not yet announced their driver pairing for the next season. A transfer would be a huge gamble, far from being rewarding. Paradoxically, Gasly will have to continue his exploits to position himself for the 2022 season, the one with the technical revolution in Formula 1. A new season with AlphaTauri is more than likely!

Without a doubt, the Gasly of 2020 is in any case more formidable than that of the first 12 races of 2019. At 24, Gasly has regained confidence since his demotion last year. His attitude this season and his latest victory can only help him for his future. With or without a Red Bull seat.

Martin Fournier, with Alexandre Lepère