Pierre Gasly says his promotion to a Red Bull seat for 2019 is a “dream come true”, after the team confirmed him as a replacement for Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo.
Gasly had been expected to remain at Toro Rosso, with whom he made his debut at last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix, with Red Bull anticipating Ricciardo signing a contract extension.
But Ricciardo surprised Red Bull by opting to join Renault for 2019, while Carlos Sainz Jr. inked a deal to replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren, leaving Gasly as the prime candidate.
Red Bull confirmed on Monday that Gasly will join Max Verstappen at the team next season, and the Frenchman expressed delight at the development.
“To be awarded a drive at Red Bull from 2019 is a dream come true for me, I’m so excited to be joining this top team,” said Gasly.
“It has been my goal to race for this team since I joined the Red Bull Junior Driver Programme in 2013, and this incredible opportunity is another step forward in my ambition to win Grands Prix and compete for World Championships.
“Red Bull has always looked to fight for championships or victories and that’s what I want. I’m a really competitive guy and when I do something it’s always to fight for the best and top positions.
“As hugely exciting a moment as this is, I am fully aware of the challenge this special opportunity offers me and the expectations that faces any driver at Red Bull.
“I’m looking forward to rewarding the faith that Dietrich Mateschitz, Christian Horner and Dr Helmut Marko have placed in me.”
Gasly stressed that he now wants to “give Toro Rosso a season to celebrate” across the second half of the campaign, before he leaves for Red Bull.
“The first phase of [rewarding the faith] is to keep pushing for ultimate performance and the best results in 2018 that I can achieve for my team, Toro Rosso,” he said.
“I wish to thank Franz Tost and everyone at Toro Rosso and the factory in Faenza for giving me the golden opportunity of a drive in Formula 1 and their amazing commitment and support, which I know will continue for the rest of this season.
“My focus now is to do everything I can to give them a season to celebrate.”
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