“Grown up” Gasly can get regular podiums

Pierre Gasly says he has “grown up” this season and his AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost has backed him to become a regular podium finisher if he ever gets his hands on a competitive car to do so.

Gasly, who won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September, had been tipped for a return to the senior Red Bull squad alongside Max Verstappen next season before being snubbed by the team.

But he said: “I think I have grown up. This is my third season and it is fair to say I am a better driver than I was last year, but I expect to be even stronger with even more experience and a better driver in two years than I am now.”

The French driver finished fifth two races ago in Portugal and qualified fourth for the last Grand Prix in Imola but retired due to a coolant leak. He is now just one point behind Red Bull driver Alex Albon.

Red Bull has recently said AlphaTauri, which operates from Switzerland and runs independently to the lead team, should no longer be seen as its ‘junior’ and Tost is determined to give Gasly the car to compete towards the front.

Tost said: “If you provide Pierre with a real competitive car, he will be more often on the podium, not only once or twice. This is the target.

“The cooperation between Pierre and his engineers is going very well. They each know each other and it is easier to find the correct set up for the car. We have come up with small upgrades from race to race, as this is our philosophy.

“If you look at the race in Portimao, this was one of the best races Pierre has driven for us. His overtaking manoeuvres and how he was fighting was really impressive. That is the result of a good performing car and very clever driving.”

Gasly, who had been linked with a move to Renault but has now committed to AlphaTauri for next year, said he is happy to remain patient with the Red Bull ‘family’ and wait for his time to come.

“My future is Red Bull, I am committed with Red Bull (as long as) we are happy to work together,” he said. “That is my plan. I want to be successful in F1, to fight for wins and titles, and hopefully we can make this happen with Red Bull.”

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