Previously, Red Bull-bound driver Pierre Gasly and Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko didn’t see eye-to-eye. But now, tis relationship with the Austrian seems to have improved. For that, Gasly is reaping the benefits by heading for the big boys of Formula 1.

The 22-year-old Frenchman has been signed up to replace Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull Racing. Just a couple of years ago, Red Bull F1 overlord Marko delayed Gasly’s Toro Rosso debut, arguing he “could have had the GP2 title at least three times if he had made fewer mistakes”.

Instead, Marko sent Gasly to Japan.

“I didn’t understand the language or where to go when I landed at the airport. It’s a completely different culture. It was not easy.

But it definitely helped me to prepare for F1,” he said.

Having impressed in 2018 and easily beaten Brendon Hartley, Gasly was the obvious choice to replace Ricciardo.

And he says the relationship with Marko is now better.

“When I was young, he demanded a lot from me. But I mastered every challenge as best I could. I wanted to show him that I’m a real fighter, that I never give up my dream and that I deserve this place,” said Gasly.

Helping the matter, however, is the fact that the steady stream of talent in the Red Bull junior programme has dried up lately, leaving the Frenchman the obvious favourite for the plum seat.

Asked if that takes the pressure off, he answered: “No. I put pressure on myself so I don’t need anyone for that. But it’s true that there are fewer drivers than there were a few years ago.”

Now, Gasly will have to prepare for his final few races for the Toro Rosso team before graduation day. He has already been impressive this season with a few top 10 finishes.