Pierre Gasly's 2018 Formula 1 season with Scuderia Toro Rosso marked his full-time arrival, showcasing flashes of significant potential despite the inherent challenges of a midfield team utilizing a new power unit partnership.
Going in
Gasly entered 2018 after a partial debut in late 2017, stepping into a full-time seat at Toro Rosso. This was a crucial year not only for Gasly but also for Toro Rosso, as they embarked on a new engine partnership with Honda, following the Japanese manufacturer's challenging three-year stint with McLaren. Expectations for the team were modest, focusing on development and demonstrating the Honda power unit's capabilities. Gasly's teammate was Brendon Hartley, also in his first full F1 season, setting up an internal battle for supremacy. This period was critical for young drivers to establish themselves, much like Lance Stroll — 2017 season had done in his debut year.
How it played out
The season began with immediate impact for Gasly. After a challenging Australian Grand Prix, he delivered a remarkable fourth-place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix, capitalizing on incidents ahead and demonstrating strong race pace and management. This result was a significant morale boost for both Gasly and the Toro Rosso-Honda partnership. He continued to show strong form in the early part of the season, securing points finishes in Monaco (P7) and Hungary (P6).
Throughout the year, Gasly generally held an advantage over his teammate, Brendon Hartley, in both qualifying and race performance. While the Toro Rosso STR13, powered by the developing Honda engine, was not a consistent points contender, Gasly frequently extracted its maximum. The mid-season saw some fluctuations in performance, typical for a midfield team, but Gasly remained a consistent presence in the battle for the lower points positions. He added another points finish in Belgium (P9) and Mexico (P10). His performance contrasted with drivers like Lance Stroll — 2018 season, who also faced challenges in a developing car, but Gasly often managed to convert opportunities into tangible results.
Defining moments
The Bahrain Grand Prix stands as the defining moment of Gasly's 2018 season. His P4 finish was not only his best result of the year but also the best for Toro Rosso since the 2015 United States Grand Prix. It validated his speed and racecraft, proving he could deliver when opportunities arose. Another notable performance came at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he qualified sixth and maintained that position in the race, showcasing the car's potential on a twisty circuit. These results were crucial in establishing his reputation within the Red Bull driver program. His consistent outperformance of Hartley also solidified his position as the lead driver within the team.
What it meant
Gasly's 2018 season was a pivotal year, solidifying his place in Formula 1 and positioning him for a future move to Red Bull Racing. He finished 15th in the Drivers' Championship with 29 points, a respectable tally given the machinery. The season demonstrated his ability to adapt to a new power unit and consistently perform at a high level against his teammate. His strong performances, particularly in Bahrain, Monaco, and Hungary, were instrumental in building confidence in the Honda engine, which would subsequently power Red Bull Racing in 2019. This trajectory was a clear indicator of his progression, much like Lance Stroll — 2019 season would later demonstrate growth in a different context. The season served as a robust audition for a top-tier seat, culminating in his promotion to Red Bull Racing for 2019, replacing Daniel Ricciardo.
