Gasly won't be "second driver" at Red Bull in 2019

Pierre Gasly has insisted he is not going to be the "second driver" to Max Verstappen in 2019, with the Frenchman being promoted from Toro Rosso.

Gasly has joined Red Bull Racing after an impressive season at its junior team, Toro Rosso. But the French driver has insisted he will not be the "second driver" to Verstappen, who has been tipped to challenge in '19 - depending on the package Honda provide the energy drink brand.

With Daniel Ricciardo leaving to move to Renault, Dr Helmut Marko acted swiftly to get Gasly in, to partner five-time Grand Prix winner Verstappen.

"For sure, I'm going to be next to one of the best drivers on the grid at the moment and for me, it's a great challenge," Gasly explained to Autosport.

"So I will take the time I need to be competitive, but I'm not going to be there to be the second driver, that's not what I want and not going to be satisfied with that.

"If I have the car to win then that's what I would love to do. And if I have a car which is only good for the top five, then that's going to be my target.

"But at the end of the day, it was only my full first season in Formula One (in 2018) and for sure I'm going to get better and better, season after season, because experience plays a big part.

"So I know that I didn't reach my full potential, but that's only motivation and I'm fully dedicated to do everything I can do to reach my best level as soon as possible."