The ruthless reality of Red Bull's junior programme isn't exactly new. But some of its members getting second chances is a relatively recent change.
In 2017, Brendon Hartley was brought back after a Le Mans-winning spell as part of Porsche's LMP1 sportscar team. At the end of the following year, Alexander Albon was plucked from a plum Formula E deal with Nissan e.dams to rejoin the Red Bull fold, and Daniil Kvyat, who had barely just been jettisoned when Hartley and Pierre Gasly were being brought through, returned to Toro Rosso.
Last year, Gasly was the latest driver to feel the sting of Red Bull demotion. Now, he's the latest to attempt Red Bull resurrection.