Pierre Gasly has claimed his interests only lie in becoming Formula 1’s top man rather than his performance compared to future teammate Max Verstappen.
The Frenchman faces what some might consider a daunting prospect of going up against the Dutchman next season at a Red Bull team which many believe is being geared towards the 20-year-old.
However, speaking to Holland’s Ziggo Sport, Gasly refused to fall for a trap question which asked if his desire was to “destroy” Verstappen at the Milton Keynes outfit.
“It’s not my wish to destroy Max. We are both drivers and of course I am going there to be the best,” he replied. “I want to be the best F1 driver on the grid and he has the same desire.”
A smart answer which fits into the perception that Gasly and Verstappen will continue the friendly rivalry that Max and Daniel Ricciardo have had since 2016, albeit with the prior increasingly showing his dominance.
“It’s nice to have someone next to you who is so fast, so you can bring out the best in each other, we’re going to experience great times,” he added.
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As for how the current Toro Rosso driver, who has scored four top 10’s so far, expects to fit in at the senior squad…
“You always need the time to get used to everything, but hopefully I will be quick to work with the team and the car,” Gasly said.
“I’ve known the team at Red Bull Racing for a while and at their request, I have already been in the simulator and I hope to be at ease soon.”