Pierre Gasly says that he is not intending to "destroy" Max Verstappen at Red Bull next year, stating that he will simply try to do his best. Red Bull confirmed that Gasly would be promoted to the senior squad from Toro Rosso for 2019, following Daniel Ricciardo's announcement to leave the team.
Gasly has impressed the paddock during his maiden full season, scoring four top ten finishes in his Honda-powered Toro Rosso. His best result came in Bahrain at the start of the year, where he crossed the line to claim an exceptional fourth-place finish.
Red Bull is set to possess the youngest line-up on the grid next year, but Gasly says that he will attempt to do his best alongside four-time Grand Prix winner Verstappen.
"You always need the time to get used to everything, but hopefully I will be quick to work with the team and the car," Gasly said. "I’ve known the team at Red Bull Racing for a while and at their request I have already been in the simulator and I hope to be at ease soon.
"It’s not my wish to destroy Max. We are both drivers and of course I am going there to be the best. I want to be the best Formula 1 driver on the grid and he has the same desire."
And Gasly added that the new partnership next season could be beneficial for both drivers: "It’s nice to have someone next to you who is so fast, so you can bring out the best in each other, we’re going to experience a great time."
Replies (15)
Login to replyboudy
Posts: 1,168
Just an bad choice of words or something lost in translation or did he really say that? The words: "Not my wish to destroy Max" seem to get the feeling around "but that's what I am aiming for".
Gasly is OK but is he at the level of Ricciardo? Or even Verstappen?
I am afraid that saying these kinds of words will only set him up for failure and that's why they aren't the best words to be said by Gasly.
Good luck Gasly you will need it.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I feel the same. The sentence feel a tad weird to me. I think he could be at a decent level, but we'll know for sure next year.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Gasly has a knack for saying stupid stuff like this. I don't know if he means it or not, but he often comes across as clueless and cocky. That will go away as after a couple of races against Verstappen though. I will be incredibly surprised if Max doesn't actually destroy Gasly.
kngrthr
Posts: 203
good. 'cause he won't
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Hope not. Otherwise, RB will have RIC vs VET all over again.
blade
Posts: 341
He'll have some flashes of brilliance but won't beat Max over a season - I think we need to see him in a few races in equal kit before firming up opinions - but I agree, his choice of words is not great - hopefully it was simply a response to question put to him along the lines of " ...now then Pierre, do you think you can destroy Max in 2019....?"
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I think he will do a fine job. Though I dont expect him to better Verstappen. He is a newbie after all. If he does, RB will have issues.
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
#2 driver confirmed then.
michielhimself
Posts: 132
He was prompted with that word by Dutch reporter for Ziggo Sport, Olav Mol, in an interview. Not his own choice of words ... prompted.
KyalamiKid
Posts: 146
and for those who dont know Olav Mol... he s a Dutch version of Sky's Crofty.. maybe slightly more annoying.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Ahh that makes sense. Thanks.
xoya
Posts: 583
Well if he isn't aiming for that, then he shouldn't be competing.
In any sport, one should aim to "destroy" his opponent and in F1 the only opponent against which one's skills are measured is his "teammate" given the fact that he (presumably) is on level playing field with the equipment provided. Everyone else is in an either better or worse starting position.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Yep you should be thinking it but not saying since that implies that anything less than doing so can be seen as a disappointment. You are basically setting yourself up to fail.
Ho3n3r
Posts: 1
People overreacting to his words... Obviously he was asked by the journalist/reporter whether he aims to destroy Max, to which he basically said no because it is unrealistic/unnecessary.
The conclusions F1 fans jump to these days, is amazing.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Conclusions that can make sense when the entire context isnt included in the article mind. I know including the question can make a world's difference in context, hence why I and a few others were a bit more careful in our wording on this.