Max Verstappen on Pierre Gasly departure: I don't care who my team-mate is

Red Bull

Verstappen on Gasly departure: I don't care who my team-mate is

Pierre was sacked yesterday.

Martin Macdonald

Tuesday 13 August 2019 11:29 Updated: 11:47

Max Verstappen admits he feels sorry for Pierre Gasly being dropped by Red Bull yesterday, but says he ultimately wants the best for the team no matter who his team-mate is.

After weeks of speculation, and despite Christian Horner and Helmut Marko saying as recently as the Hungarian Grand Prix that his seat was safe, Gasly was sacked yesterday after a torrid first half of the season, with Alex Albon being promoted from Toro Rosso as his replacement.

One of the reasons for the decision was Gasly’s inability to even match, never mind surpass, the performances of Verstappen despite the two having the same car.

The Dutchman has reacted to the decision.

"Of course, it is a pity for Pierre, but I personally don't care much who my teammate is," Verstappen told the Telegraaf.

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"The point is that we perform better with the other car and thereby gain more points for the team." he added.

With Gasly’s future increasingly becoming increasingly uncertain over the last month or two, there was speculation that he would be replaced, with Daniil Kvyat thought to be the leading candidate for his seat.

Albon replaces Gasly: How Red Bull's new recruit went from the wilderness to top F1 seatRead more

However, Albon was chosen, and he took to his Instagram page to thank Red Bull for the opportunity shortly after the announcement.

"Surreal to have been given this massive opportunity! Can’t thank you enough for believing in me and making this possible,” he wrote.

"It’s a big jump into the deep end, but I’ve got my swimming shorts on! Thanks to all the guys at Toro Rosso, especially [Toro Rosso Team Principal] Franz Tost for the massive opportunity in F1 and never-ending support throughout my first year! Now to focus for my first race with the team in Spa."