Horner: Pierre Gasly “recovering and recovering” confidence at Toro Rosso

Gasly claimed his first F1 podium in Brazil after the chaotic closing stages of the race, finishing P2 for Toro Rosso behind former teammate from earlier this year Max Verstappen.
 
The Frenchman started the year alongside the Dutchman but couldn’t replicate the same results, leading to him being swapped with Alex Albon in the summer break.
 
But Horner believes the move has benefitted the 23-year old to regain his confidence, scoring points in five of the eight races.

“I think he’s doing a very good job,” Horner said as quoted by ReadMotorsport.

“I think removing him from the pressured environment here and putting him back into the slightly-less pressured environment at Toro Rosso, perhaps in a car that is slightly easier to drive - his confidence has been recovering and recovering.

“He’s put in some great performances and that’s why we took up the option on him again for 2020.

“It’s great to see him get his first podium, so it’s a fantastic day for Red Bull. Hopefully that confidence will only continue to grow.”

Gasly’s demotion from Red Bull could have gone two ways, either letting the situation get to him, affecting results, or using it as an opportunity to drive as best as he can, something Horner is glad the Frenchman has done.

“He had two choices: he could either get depressed about it, or be grateful for the fact he was still involved in F1 and Red Bull still believed in him,” he added.

“I think he embraced it rather than got dejected by it. I think there was almost a slight relief as well, because the pressure only mounts.

“He came into the season after two crashes and there were some really tough races for him. I think it was the right thing to remove him from that pressure.

“It’s been good to see him really find his confidence at Toro Rosso.”