Pierre Gasly will replace Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull for the 2019 Formula 1 championship.
Gasly, who made his F1 debut as Daniil Kvyat’s replacement at Toro Rosso at the end of last season, will take the step up to the senior team as Ricciardo switches to Renault next year.
The 22-year-old Frenchman will run alongside Max Verstappen, meaning Red Bull’s driver line-up will have a combined age of just 44 years by the start of next season.
“To be awarded a drive at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing from 2019 is a dream come true for me, I’m so excited to be joining the 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 champiosnhips.
“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.”
Gasly made his F1 debut at the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix, where he finished 14th before signing for a full season in 2018.
He is currently 13th in the drivers’ championship standings, with a best result of fourth at the Bahrain Grand Prix early in the season.
When Ricciardo announced his move to the Renault factory team, Gasly was favourite to take his seat at the senior team, but his lack of experience and Kvyat’s struggle with the early step up when he joined Red Bull put some doubts on Gasly’s promotion.
“As hugely exciting a moment as this is, I am fully aware of the challenges this special opportunity offers me and the expectations that faces any driver at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to rewarding the faith that Dietrich Mateschitz, Christian Horner and Dr Helmut Marko have placed in me.
“The first phase of that is to keep pushing for ultimate performance and the best results in 2018 that I can achieve for my team, Scuderia Toro Rosso.”
“Since Pierre first stepped into a Formula 1 seat with Scuderia 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.”
