Red Bull boss Christian Horner thinks Baku was the moment Pierre Gasly began to show his potential in the RB15.
The Frenchman enjoyed a more competitive weekend in Azerbaijan, topping Q1 in qualifying and running strongly in sixth in the race, having made his way through from a pit-lane start.
Ultimately, it would end in disappointment due to a driveshaft failure, but after a tough initiation at Red Bull since stepping up from Toro Rosso, Horner can see light at the end of the tunnel.
“His pace was very encouraging,” the Briton said post-race.
“We could see from the beginning of practice that he was much more comfortable and confident with the car and he knows he has delivered a much stronger weekend.
“He is coming out of this delicate period and gets a lot of support from us. He knows that we believe in him.
“It just takes a little while and we also can’t forget that he has this very difficult barometer next door [in Max Verstappen] who is one of the best on the grid,” Horner concluded.
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When reflecting on why his performance was more on the level expected by Red Bull, Gasly put it all down to confidence.
“This weekend has been a lot better than the first three races. I felt better with the car and I’ve been able to drive more the way I want to,” he said.
“Things in the race went pretty well and we got to P6 but unfortunately we didn’t make it to the end as I had a driveshaft failure.
“Overall, I’m adapting myself and I think the car’s a bit more predictable and I’ve changed my approach in the car too.
“I still need to work on some things but each weekend it’s improving and together with the team, we’re going in the right direction.”
