Red Bull has confirmed that Pierre Gasly will join Max Verstappen at its Formula 1 team next season, as a replacement for Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo.
Red Bull had expected to field an unchanged line-up in 2019 until out-of-contract Ricciardo caused a shock by announcing his decision to depart for Renault, just days after indicating he would stay.
That left a vacancy alongside Verstappen – ostensibly giving Red Bull a choice of promoting Gasly or renewing the 2015/early 2016 Toro Rosso line-up by handing Carlos Sainz Jr. the seat.
But Sainz Jr., who was poised to be replaced at Renault by Mercedes-backed Esteban Ocon before the shock Ricciardo swoop, sealed his future by penning a deal to take Fernando Alonso’s seat at McLaren.
Gasly was thus left as the sole realistic option and on Monday Red Bull confirmed that the Frenchman will join Verstappen in 2019.
"Since Pierre first stepped into a Formula 1 seat with Toro Rosso less than a year ago he has proved the undoubted talent that Red Bull has nurtured since his early career," said team boss Christian Horner.
"His stellar performances this year at the Honda-powered team, in only his first full season in Formula 1, have only enhanced his reputation as one of the most exciting young drivers in motorsport and we look forward to Pierre bringing his speed, skill and attitude to the team in 2019.
"While our immediate focus remains fully on achieving our best result in the 2018 World Championship, we look forward to competing in 2019 with Max and Pierre at the wheel of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing."
Gasly has been a member of Red Bull’s junior team since he captured the Formula Renault 2.0 title at the end of 2013, and finished runner-up to Sainz Jr. in Formula Renault 3.5 the following year.
Gasly switched to GP2 full-time in 2015 but endured a lengthy win-less streak, through which Red Bull retained its faith, as he finally broke his duck mid-2016.
That victory proved the catalyst for a title tilt and he edged Prema team-mate and now Ferrari reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi, though was left without an F1 seat as Red Bull kept Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso.
Gasly continued F1 test duties and competed in the Japan-based Super Formula series, as well as making a one-off Formula E outing, before Red Bull eventually axed Kvyat.
Gasly stepped up to Toro Rosso for five of the final six Grands Prix – missing Austin to contest the ultimately-abandoned Super Formula title finale, placing as runner-up – and was retained for 2018.
The 22-year-old has impressed by maximising the infrequent opportunities that have come his way, taking the best result for a Honda-powered car in a decade by placing fourth in Bahrain.
He followed that up by racing to seventh in Monaco and capturing sixth spot in Hungary.
Gasly's promotion to the senior team opens a vacancy at Toro Rosso, with the junior outfit yet to confirm either of its 2019 drivers.
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