Gasly expects Sainz to replace Ricciardo at Red Bull

Pierre Gasly says Carlos Sainz Jr is more likely to earn a seat at Red Bull in 2019, if the team loses Daniel Ricciardo. Gasly has impressed since being drafted into Toro Rosso, but Gasly believes Sainz's greater experience would play in his favour.

Sainz was overlooked for the senior team when Max Verstappen replaced Daniil Kvyat in 2016, however the Spaniard has continued to impress, regularly scoring points since his loan move to Renault.

With Ricciardo still to decide on his future, with his Red Bull contract expiring at the end of the year, team principal Christian Horner has already earmarked Sainz as a likely replacement.

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Although Gasly has scored fine results in Bahrain and Monaco this year, he is happy to keep adding experience before targeting a move to Red Bull.

"In the end, it's all about victories, but I've only just started and I have to take the time to gain experience, I do not think so much about it now," Gasly told Motorsport.

"It would be logical if Carlos gets that seat, he has a lot more experience in Formula 1.

"I still have to prove and show that I deserve more than he does.

"We both started the season well, so we will see what happens."

A French driver has not won a grand prix since Olivier Panis' shock victory at the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix, but Red Bull protégé Gasly hopes he can add to a list including the likes of Jean Alesi, Rene Arnoux nd the legendary Alain Prost.

"I'm definitely working to become the next French winner," Gasly said. "But it depends on all sorts of factors: if you're not in the right car at the right time, you do not even have the chance.

"At the moment there are clearly three teams that can go for the victory: Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull.

"My goal, of course, is to get to Red Bull as soon as possible and make [the French anthem] Le Marseillaise sound again."