F1 | Verstappen supports Red Bull's decision: “We need to get more points for the team”

Max Verstappen said he was in favor of the Austrian team's decision to replace Pierre Gasly with rookie Alexander Albon, starting from the next race in Belgium.

“Obviously it's a shame for Pierre but personally I don't care who my teammate is.”

Helmut Marko was the first to want the Thai at Red Bull, as “he made a great debut, he got the most out of the car”, adding that Gasly on the contrary when he is in traffic “he loses positions and doesn't like to overtake”.

“We had to react and give this opportunity to Albon until the end of the season. Gasly takes over at Toro Rosso and then we'll see who will join Max next year." 

French source RMC Sport reports that Gasly was told the news while on holiday and just hours before it became public. It also seems that the Frenchman had a difficult relationship with his engineers.

Verstappen supported Red Bull's decision to look for a stronger second driver:

“The point is that we have to be fast with the other car too and get more points for the team.”

Marko said he was confident in the new line-up:

“This year we built a car with less downforce but we underestimated Honda's progress. We didn't expect such a powerful engine, but now we've got everything sorted, we're close to Mercedes and definitely faster than Ferrari. I think we will be competitive everywhere in the second half of the season."