Tost surprised with Gasly struggles: "He's way better than this!"
F1 News
- Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost has admitted he's very surprised with the struggles the team's former driver Pierre Gasly is currently experiencing at Red Bull Racing, as Tost explains the Frenchman "is much better and much quicker than he currently seems".
Replacing the Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo, Gasly made the step up from Toro Rosso after just over a season's worth of experience in Formula 1. Red Bull made it clear from the jump that Gasly's appointment was a long-term one, with the side not expecting the 23-year-old to perform straight-away.
However, the Frenchman has kept struggling for the eight Grands Prix he's driven for the Bulls so far, with his best finishing position coming in Monaco, where he finished fifth (with the bonus point for the fastest lap as well). He looked to be in an upward spiral, but since Canada, he's struggled again, finishing ninth and tenth in Montréal and France respectively.
Speaking to Motorsport-Total.com, Gasly's former team principal Tost backs his former pupil.
"I'm a bit surprised," the Austrian said about the form of Gasly, who hasn't matched his P4 at Bahrain for Toro Rosso for Red Bull Racing yet.
"Simply because Pierre is much better and therefore much faster than he's currently showing. However, I don't know the exact circumstances.
"The RB15 is light on the rear and Gasly doesn't like that," Tost, who has a big say in Red Bull's junior program, elaborated.
He continued to back Gasly, as he thinks the Frenchman just needs more time to get to know the car and the team alike.
"The talent is out of the question," Tost thinks. "He can do it all, but he just needs his time, you have to give him the time to adapt.
"He has the misfortune of being next to Max Verstappen, who is now established in the team, of course, but Max was also with us [Toro Rosso] once and has also undergone his learning process."