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MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Race winner Pierre Gasly of France and Scuderia AlphaTauri celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 06, 2020 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Luca Bruno – Pool/Getty Images)
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MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Race winner Pierre Gasly of France and Scuderia AlphaTauri celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 06, 2020 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Luca Bruno – Pool/Getty Images)
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MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Race winner Pierre Gasly of France and Scuderia AlphaTauri celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 06, 2020 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Luca Bruno – Pool/Getty Images)
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MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Race winner Pierre Gasly of France and Scuderia AlphaTauri celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 06, 2020 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Luca Bruno – Pool/Getty Images)
Pierre Gasly has become a consistent performer for AlphaTauri over the past two seasons. But his brief and forgettable stint at Red Bull was just poor timing, insists former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger. Gerhard also says a second chance is imminent if he continues his form with AlphaTauri.
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Second Chance for Pierre Gasly?
His impressive form at AlphaTauri has earned him a fan in Gerhard Berger, who thinks he deserves a second chance. Speaking with Motorsport.com, he said, “Besides Max Verstappen it is not easy anyway, but I think he is good enough for a second chance. He is doing great and is a good driver.”
Max’s world championship title also changes things, as he is a more relaxed driver now and would work with a teammate differently.
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Berger also had views on the impact of the long-term contract Verstappen signed with Red Bull, “Now that Max has signed a contract forever, it is much easier, because you no longer have to deal with two new drivers”.
If Pierre Gasly continues his run with AlphaTauri, a do-over might soon become a reality as early as next season.
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Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
Poor timing for Pierre
Red Bull appointed Pierre Gasly to succeed Daniel Ricciardo in the 2019 season, but Gasly could not live up to the expectations. Hence, the Austrian team replaced the Frenchman with Alex Albon in just six months.
Being an inexperienced driver and getting a promotion to the lead team is a step most drivers dream of taking. But lining up against the current world champion Max Verstappen, where anyone would be forced to prove their mettle? It did not go well for Gasly as he succumbed to the pressure.
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A backward step in his career was probably not the best move for Pierre, but that’s exactly what he needed. After returning to the Red Bull sister team, Pierre consistently exhibited exceptional driving skills. And the highlight of his stint with the team came at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix as a win. His Monza victory is certainly one of the reasons Pierre deserves a second shot at the Red Bull seat.