Despite missing out on a promotion into Formula 1, Pierre Gasly feels his relationship with Helmut Marko, the head of the Red Bull Junior Team programme, has improved after reacting well to being overlooked for the Scuderia Toro Rosso drive in favour of Daniil Kvyat.
Rumours mid-season in 2016 put Gasly in frame for the ride, only for Red Bull to keep Kvyat for another season, but the Frenchman did not let that disappointment affect him as he went onto clinch the GP2 Series title in the season finale in Abu Dhabi, and felt it was that reaction that endeared him to Marko and meant he remained a part of the Junior Team for another season.
“When you put a lot of energy, time and work, you’re disappointed to miss out on the opportunity,” said Gasly to French radio channel RMC. “I think they [Red Bull] saw that I was doing my best to make it. That’s what they like.
“Helmut liked the way I reacted. He pushes me and supports me well. The relationship has been better for the last two or three months, even though the decision didn’t go my way.
“He supports me, pushes me and motivates me to keep giving it all, knowing that things can change very quickly in F1.”
