Red Bull identify Gasly's key weakness and set deadline for improvement

Pierre Gasly has been given until the summer break to improve his performances for Red Bull, with team chief Dr Helmut Marko demanding a sharp enhancement in the Frenchman's overtaking.

Gasly's performances have come under scrutiny as he has fallen way short of Max Verstappen since replacing Daniel Ricciardo, prompting rumours that he may not see out the season in the senior Red bull squad.

Verstappen won in Austria last weekend, lapping Gasly in the process to underline the chasm in the pair's output currently.

Whereas Verstappen made short work of moving through the field after dropping back in a poor start, Gasly began in the pack and struggled to pass Kimi Raikkonen, and then failing to get by the McLaren of Lando Norris.

"That can be partly explained by the fact that we had a new front wing, which was a big step, but unfortunately we had only one left for the race and Max got it," Marko is quoted by Auto Bild.

"Nevertheless, Gasly has to improve, especially when overtaking. He has to deliver by the summer break, but I'm sure we'll get him there."

Verstappen's win in Austria came after intense speculation about his future at the team, but Marko believes the result will prove to Verstappen that Red Bull is the place to be.

He added: "Sunday's victory was an important step, Max knows what he has about us and Honda , and the Honda people showed what they are capable of doing at the Red Bull Ring.

"The first time they've used a new, more aggressive engine software this season brought us a big step forward , with the next expansion of the engine [due] in Monza

"We are also improving from the chassis side in every race and now I can confidently say that when the others falter we are fully there."

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