What Red Bull is risking with its driver bombshell
Autosport Plus

What Red Bull is risking with its driver bombshell

By:

They say history repeats itself and there is certainly a sense of deja vu at Red Bull with the announcement that Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly have switched places for the Belgian Grand Prix - but it's a decision that risks ending not one but two promising careers

Red Bull is no stranger to a mid-season driver change. But its consistent support of Pierre Gasly as the Frenchman struggled to grasp his chance at the senior team this season had distanced the team from the likelihood of the bombshell it dropped as the second week of Formula 1's summer break began on Monday.

From the Belgian Grand Prix, Gasly will be out of the team - for now, at least - and Alex Albon in. To be a fly on the wall at each driver's home would be eye-opening. For Gasly, his big opportunity may have been squandered and his F1 career may now dangle on a thread. Albon, who was not even meant to be in F1 this season, is now thrust into what is simultaneously one of the best and worst seats in grand prix racing.

shares
comments

Kubica still wants more consistent Williams in "complicated" season

The sudden slump that left Gasly defenceless

More from Scott Mitchell

The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season

The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1

The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season

Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge

Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge

F1 Formula 1

Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge

Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1

Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1 Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1

Hamilton felt pressure of revitalised Mercedes team-mate 'Bottas 2.0'

Hamilton felt pressure of revitalised Mercedes team-mate 'Bottas 2.0'

F1 Formula 1

Hamilton felt pressure of revitalised Mercedes team-mate 'Bottas 2.0' Hamilton felt pressure of revitalised Mercedes team-mate 'Bottas 2.0'

Alfa team boss Vasseur: Squad must maximise results in chaotic races

Alfa team boss Vasseur: Squad must maximise results in chaotic races

F1 Formula 1

Alfa team boss Vasseur: Squad must maximise results in chaotic races Alfa team boss Vasseur: Squad must maximise results in chaotic races

Honda: Verstappen F1 relationship like seeing a young Senna

Honda: Verstappen F1 relationship like seeing a young Senna

F1 Formula 1

Honda: Verstappen F1 relationship like seeing a young Senna Honda: Verstappen F1 relationship like seeing a young Senna

Ferrari: Key team personnel running F1 would be conflict of interest

Ferrari: Key team personnel running F1 would be conflict of interest

F1 Formula 1

Ferrari: Key team personnel running F1 would be conflict of interest Ferrari: Key team personnel running F1 would be conflict of interest

Late Spa shunt could have cost Giovinazzi his drive - Alfa

Late Spa shunt could have cost Giovinazzi his drive - Alfa

F1 Formula 1

Late Spa shunt could have cost Giovinazzi his drive - Alfa Late Spa shunt could have cost Giovinazzi his drive - Alfa

How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side

How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side

Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself

Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jonathan Noble

Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
GP Racing

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jonathan Noble

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come