Pierre Gasly has delivered a scathing account of his experience with Red Bull, accusing the Formula 1 giant of betrayal in a candid interview that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport world. This revelation brings renewed attention to the internal politics at Red Bull just as the team faces a period of profound transition ahead of the 2026 season, forcing fans and insiders alike to question how these dynamics affected key careers, including Gasly’s own trajectory—a narrative now widely referred to as the “Pierre Gasly Red Bull Betrayal.”
Red Bull’s Pivotal Crossroads as Leadership Changes
The 2026 Formula 1 season is set against a backdrop of upheaval for Red Bull, with major personnel changes shaking the team’s foundation. The departures of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko leave significant strategic gaps, amplifying uncertainty as Red Bull reassesses its direction. Meanwhile, speculation abounds regarding Max Verstappen‘s future with the team, amid reported interest from Mercedes and other rivals. The decisions made in the 2023 season could ultimately decide whether Verstappen stays at Red Bull past 2027—a factor adding further tension to the team’s evolution.
Gasly’s Frustration: Promises Broken and Missed Opportunities
Pierre Gasly’s rise and fall within Red Bull highlight the ruthlessness often encountered in Formula 1 team politics. After winning the GP2 championship in 2016, Gasly believed a place on the Red Bull F1 roster was assured. Instead, he began the 2017 season relegated to a reserve role, not the immediate Formula 1 promotion he had anticipated. This unforeseen setback left a lasting impact on the French driver, who had replaced Daniel Ricciardo in 2019 after accumulating just one full season’s experience.
Gasly opened up to Lawrence Barretto in F1’s Off the Grid series, describing the distress he endured during these years.
“It was so hard to take because I was told, ‘ok, if you win the GP2 championship, you’re going to get a shot in Formula 1.’ There’s more in F1 and politics and money, and it was like a slap in my face where I thought, ‘ok, what do I need to do more?’”
—Pierre Gasly, Driver
This quote lays bare the emotional price of navigating the volatile mix of talent, timing, and business interests typical in top-level racing. Gasly’s disillusionment underscores a recurring narrative: merit alone often falls short amid the competing pressures of monetary and political considerations that shape a driver’s fate.
Short Stint at Red Bull and the Switch to Alpine
Gasly’s elevation to Red Bull’s main team in 2019 was as swift as it was brief. Struggling to rival Max Verstappen’s exceptional results, Gasly was demoted back to Toro Rosso midway through the season. The experience marked a turning point, prompting him to exit the Red Bull fold entirely in 2023 for a fresh start with Alpine. As he embarks on this new chapter, Gasly has expressed optimism that Alpine’s environment could finally propel him towards the world championship he has long pursued.
Implications for Red Bull and Formula 1’s Power Dynamics
Gasly’s public account of his Red Bull experience has heightened scrutiny on how Formula 1’s corporate politics can sideline even highly talented drivers. With Red Bull overhauling its leadership and facing critical decisions about its roster, the organization finds itself needing to rebuild trust and stability. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Max Verstappen’s commitment also raises the stakes as new regulations approach in 2026. Gasly’s story serves both as a cautionary tale to rising stars and as a stark reminder that, in Formula 1, the road to success often runs through a gauntlet of shifting promises and relentless competition, making triumph as much about surviving institutional politics as it is about speed on the track.
