OCTOBER 24, 2016

Gasly cannot understand Kvyat decision

Pierre Gasly has admitted he "cannot understand" why Red Bull overlooked him for a Toro Rosso seat for 2017.

Pierre Gasly has admitted he cannot understand why Red Bull overlooked him for a Toro Rosso seat for 2017.

While Daniil Kvyat's future has looked bleak at times this year, the energy drink camp has decided to keep both of Toro Rosso's current drivers on board for next year.

Behind Antonio Giovinazzi in the GP2 standings, French 20-year-old Gasly is now the cream of Red Bull's young driver programme but he has an up and down 2016 campaign.

Indeed, when explaining Kvyat's new deal, Christian Horner indicated that Red Bull is now having to look ahead for the next wave of young talent.

"We are looking at the 13 and 14 year olds," he said, "because otherwise there's not much there."

But Gasly told French television Canal Plus that he "cannot understand" Red Bull's decision.

"I talked a lot with Helmut (Marko) on Friday," Gasly said in Austin.

"He made it clear that things were moving in the wrong direction, but it was a complete surprise to me.

"On Saturday morning he told me about Kvyat, but honestly I cannot understand this decision. Especially as I had a long talk with Helmut but he did not explain to me the reason.

"Now we must continue to look ahead and explore other options, but I will prove to them that they made the wrong decision," Gasly added.

(GMM)