Red Bull made a driver decision that stings even more than losing Daniel Ricciardo, and the consequences are still echoing through their garage! We're talking about a move that left a supremely talented driver on the sidelines, a decision that arguably hampered their chances of consistently challenging for championships. But here's where it gets controversial... was it purely about performance, or were other factors at play?
In recent years, Red Bull has been a hotbed of driver changes, and their choices have significantly shaped the Formula 1 landscape. While Daniel Ricciardo's departure certainly left a void, the decision to let another driver leave the Red Bull fold proves to be an even more costly error.
Ricciardo, hungry for a fresh challenge and perhaps feeling like he was playing second fiddle to Max Verstappen, sought a new adventure elsewhere on the grid. The eight-time Grand Prix winner ultimately landed at Renault. Since the Australian's exit from Milton Keynes, Red Bull has struggled to find a teammate who can consistently push Verstappen to his absolute limit throughout an entire season. They've been searching for that perfect balance: a driver fast enough to challenge Max, but also willing to play the team game. Isack Hadjar is the latest hopeful in line to partner with the high-flying Dutchman, but the biggest loss for Red Bull in recent memory has to be Pierre Gasly.
During an appearance on F1's "Off The Grid" series, Gasly revealed a fascinating detail: after his stunning victory at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix (a truly unexpected and emotional win!), he asked Red Bull for another shot at the main team. Imagine the confidence and momentum he must have felt!
Hesitantly walking F1 journalist Lawrence Bawretto through his trophy cabinet, he paused at the Monza winner's trophy, stating, "After that race win, I said, I want a shot back at the main team. I want to be fighting for race wins and podiums. It was strange. I still can't even understand why they didn't really put me back there, and I didn't think Red Bull would let me go. They eventually did. My manager asked me, 'Do you actually want to go?' I was like, '100%, no, 200%.'"
And this is the part most people miss... Gasly's departure wasn't just about him wanting a change of scenery. He wanted to stay, but felt he wasn't given a fair opportunity. To this day, Gasly remains the only driver released from the Red Bull program (after their second-seat woes began) who has gone on to secure podiums with another team. While Ricciardo did win the Italian Grand Prix for McLaren the following season, his exit was his own decision, unlike Gasly's situation at AlphaTauri.
Gasly has consistently demonstrated his worthiness of a front-running car with his impressive performances in midfield and backmarker machinery. Each of his five podiums have come in cars that, frankly, had no business being there. It's no coincidence that he has the most top-three finishes of any driver in midfield cars on the grid. He's a proven overachiever, consistently extracting more performance from his machinery than many thought possible.
Red Bull initially dropped Gasly after just 12 races, replacing him with Alex Albon. Albon, unfortunately, didn't meet the team's high standards either, and was replaced by Sergio Perez after 18 months. Perez has arguably been the closest driver to Verstappen's level since Ricciardo's departure, but that's a relative statement, considering Perez has only claimed five wins compared to Verstappen's 53 during the same period. This highlights the immense talent and dominance of Verstappen, but also the challenge of finding a driver who can truly compete with him.
Now, here's a bold statement: The biggest mistake Red Bull made during Perez's tenure wasn't necessarily his underperformance, but giving him a contract extension amid his struggles in 2024. Red Bull initially justified the extension by pointing to Perez's second-place finish in 2023. However, the real reason, as many suspect, stems from a reluctance to pair Verstappen with Carlos Sainz, due to past friction between the two drivers during their time at Toro Rosso. This decision ultimately cost Red Bull millions in a severance payout to Perez, and they're still searching for a second driver who can genuinely complement Verstappen.
So, was letting Pierre Gasly go a bigger mistake than losing Daniel Ricciardo? It's a complex question with no easy answer. Ricciardo’s departure left a leadership gap, but Gasly's exit arguably deprived Red Bull of a proven talent who could have potentially challenged Verstappen more consistently. The decision to prioritize internal politics over pure performance might be the mistake that haunts them the most.
What do you think? Did Red Bull underestimate Pierre Gasly's potential? Or was there a valid reason for not giving him another chance? And do you believe Isack Hadjar has what it takes to succeed where others have failed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
