# Pierre Gasly — 2019 season

Source: https://www.thef1formula.com/seasons/pierre-gasly-2019
Last updated: 2026-07-01

> Pierre Gasly's 2019 F1 season was defined by a mid-season demotion from Red Bull Racing to Toro Rosso, where he subsequently secured his first career podium.

Pierre Gasly's 2019 Formula 1 season was a narrative of high expectations, significant challenge, and eventual redemption, marked by a mid-year team change that profoundly shaped his trajectory.

## Going in

Having impressed with Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2018, Pierre Gasly earned a promotion to Red Bull Racing for the 2019 season, partnering Max Verstappen. This move placed him in a front-running car within the V6 turbo-hybrid era, a period largely dominated by Mercedes. The expectation was for Gasly to support Verstappen and the team's challenge at the sharp end of the grid, building on his prior F1 experience, which included his debut in [Lance Stroll's 2017 season](/seasons/lance-stroll-2017).

## How it played out

Gasly's initial stint with Red Bull Racing from rounds 1 to 12 proved challenging. He struggled to consistently match the pace of his teammate, Max Verstappen, who secured three victories during this period. Gasly's early races included an 11th place finish in Australia and an 8th in Bahrain, followed by a 6th in China. A driveshaft issue led to his sole DNF of the season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. While he secured a best Red Bull finish of 4th at the British Grand Prix, his performances often saw him finishing in the 6th to 8th positions, accumulating 63 points. This contrasted with Verstappen's frequent podiums and wins, leading to a mid-season decision by Red Bull to demote Gasly back to Scuderia Toro Rosso after the Hungarian Grand Prix, with Alex Albon taking his seat.

Returning to Toro Rosso for the remaining nine races, Gasly found a renewed rhythm. He immediately scored points with a 9th place finish at the Belgian Grand Prix. His performances steadily improved, culminating in a standout drive at the Brazilian Grand Prix. In a chaotic race, Gasly secured his maiden Formula 1 podium, finishing 2nd, a significant achievement for both himself and Toro Rosso. He added 32 points to his tally with Toro Rosso, demonstrating his capability in a less pressured environment. This remarkable turnaround showcased his resilience, a trait often observed in drivers navigating career shifts, much like the strategic moves seen in a driver's career arc, such as [Fernando Alonso's 2025 season](/seasons/fernando-alonso-2025).

## Defining moments

The most defining moment of Gasly's 2019 season was undoubtedly his mid-season demotion from Red Bull Racing. This decision, made after the Hungarian Grand Prix, marked a significant setback but also presented an opportunity for recalibration. His subsequent 2nd place podium finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix stands as his most impactful on-track performance. This result, achieved in a frantic final lap battle, not only secured his first F1 podium but also served as a powerful statement of his talent and determination following the demotion. For context on how other drivers fared in the same year, one might look at [Lance Stroll's 2019 season](/seasons/lance-stroll-2019), which also had its own set of challenges and highlights.

## What it meant

Despite the turbulent nature of his year, Pierre Gasly finished the 2019 World Drivers' Championship in 7th position, accumulating 95 points. He secured 0 wins and 1 podium across 21 races. This season underscored the immense pressure associated with driving for a top-tier team like Red Bull and the specific demands of the RB15 chassis, which some drivers found challenging to extract maximum performance from. His strong recovery and podium finish with Toro Rosso cemented his reputation as a capable F1 driver, proving his ability to perform under adversity. The season provided a crucial learning experience, ultimately strengthening his resolve and setting the stage for future successes. For more detailed statistics on the season, the official [Formula 1 — official site](https://www.formula1.com/en) provides comprehensive data, alongside historical F1 data archives like those found via [Jolpica/Ergast — 2026 season data](https://api.jolpi.ca/ergast/f1/2026.json) and encyclopaedic resources such as [Wikipedia: Formula One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One).