Former F1 driver and analyst, Johnny Herbert, says Pierre Gasly should think about finding another chance in Formula 1 by leaving the Red Bull camp. The French driver, who is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2023, has been with AlphaTauri since he was relegated from the Red Bull Racing team in 2019. Gasly has found the speed and confidence to become one of the stars of midfield, but the French driver has made it clear that his aim is to find his way back to the Red Bull senior squad.
With Red Bull recently handing Sergio Perez a new two-year contract until the end of 2024, the door at Red Bull’s team has been closed for Gasly. Gasly seems stuck with AlphaTauri as a result and Herbert thinks it’s time for him to take a chance and find his way to a team outside of Red Bull. “I think he should do what Daniel Ricciardo did. Breaking with Red Bull,” says Herbert on the F1 Nation podcastreferring to when the former Red Bull driver left the team to join Renault for 2019.
“Right now the options have become a little less. The thing he has to try to do is, when the opportunity comes, he has to have that opportunity for AlphaTauri, Red Bull, whatever, to say ‘okay, if there’s a chance, we’ll allow you to go’ , because I think that’s so important to him as a driver.”
Aston Martin an option for Gasly
One possibility could be Aston Martin, given the uncertainty over Sebastian Vettel’s future, as the four-time former world champion’s contract expires after the 2022 season. Herbert also suggested that it is time for team owner Lawrence Stroll to evict his son Lance from his seat and that Gasly should make overtures to the England team.
“I think he should be there by now, I think he should already be making inquiries to say ‘yes, I’m ready, I’m ready to come on board,'” Herbert says. “I think sometimes drivers have to make hard decisions, if you want to call it that. But from a career perspective, it would be the right thing for him to do.” Gasly finished the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in fifth, after a spirited race against Vettel and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, and Herbert praised his prowess behind the wheel.
“Pierre has a very, very good ability to place the car. He seems to absorb the pressure placed on him when pushed from behind,” the analyst said. “But then when he tries to push to overtake, he also has the ability to place the car. He is a very versatile driver. I think that’s something we’ve lost in the last few races, but it was great to see that again.”
