Gasly: I'll give Verstappen the hardest time I can

Pierre Gasly has insisted he will give Max Verstappen the "hardest time" he can as a competitor alongside his new team-mate, while also describing the Dutchman as one of the most talented drivers on the Formula 1 grid ahead of their new partnership.

The driving line-up for the 2019 F1 campaign will be significantly different to the current edition, with the majority of teams changing at least one driver.

One of the major alterations will see Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo replaced at Red Bull by Gasly, who is looking forward to going up against the speed of Verstappen.

"I'm still only going to be in my second season of Formula 1 so there are still a lot of things to learn and I still need to develop myself," Gasly told Sky Sports News.

"But I know I'm quick, I need to make the best out of my skills and my qualities, but also work on all the areas I can improve.

"We will see how it goes against Max. He is one of the most talented drivers at the moment, it's always good to be next to a competitive guy, and I'll give him the hardest time I can and then try to develop as much as possible as a driver. We'll see the result I get next year."

Joining @redbullracing in 2019! ????Super exciting with the coming challenges!! ???? #FullGas pic.twitter.com/bNeVSKbbxE — Pierre Gasly ???????? (@PierreGASLY) August 20, 2018

One other change within the Red Bull team is their switch from Renault engine units to Honda, and Gasly thinks that if the Japanese manufacturers can provide that extra bit of power, he, and especially Verstappen, should be able to compete at the front of the grid for race wins.

"Red Bull showed at the end of the season they were fighting for victories - Max got one in Mexico and was probably going to get one in Brazil as well," he continued.

"So clearly the package works and next year we also need to see how it goes with Honda. But I think it'll be really interesting and if there is a winning car I'm sure he's going to be right at the top and it will be my job to make sure I'm right there as well."

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