Red Bull - Gasly "ready to make next step up"

Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley has suggested Pierre Gasly is "ready to make the next step up" after a stunning return to AlphaTauri.

Gasly's F1 career with Red Bull looked to be hanging by a thread in 2019 after being dropped midway through his first season with the team, returning to the team then known as Toro Rosso.

Since his return, the Frenchman has collected podiums and a maiden grand prix victory, leading to calls for his reinstatement at Red Bull.

Sergio Perez was given the nod to continue alongside Max Verstappen for the upcoming season, leaving Gasly at AlphaTauri for the time being.

Addressing the management of younger drivers in the team after difficulties for Gasly and Alex Albon, Wheatley told the Jack Threlfall Show: "With Alex, we learned a huge amount of things.

"We learned how to help support a younger driver who was having a difficult time, same with Pierre before that and look at the confidence Pierre has got now.

"He is back in the slightly smaller team and I think, honestly, Pierre is ready to make the next step up now."

On where his opportunity will come, Wheatley replied: "You have to wait and see what cards you are dealt, like all of us in our ambitions and what you want to do in life."

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