Red Bull promotes Albon - demotes Gasly!

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Aston Martin Red Bull Racing has announced that junior bull Alex Albon will replace Pierre Gasly at the Milton Keynes-based outfit from the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

Albon's promotion and Gasly's return to Roro Rosso follows a disappointing first half of the season for the Frenchman marked by his struggles and inability to perform on the same level as teammate Max Verstappen.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and Red Bull motorsport chief Helmut Marko had so far dismissed replacing Gasly by either Albon or Toro Rosso returnee Dany Kvyat.

Ricciardo surprised by size of Gasly deficit to Verstappen

But another subdued performance by Gasly in Hungary - where the 23-year-old was lapped by Verstappen - likely left Marko convinced that a change was in order.

"Red Bull are in the unique position of having four talented Formula One drivers under contract who can be rotated between Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso," stated Red Bull in a press release on Monday.

"The Team will use the next nine races to evaluate Alex’s performance in order to make an informed decision as to who will drive alongside Max in 2020."

Albon's recruitment by Red Bull at the end of last season was a surprise choice, and a salutary one for the British-Thai racer whose lack of funding in Formula 2 with DAMS in 2018 threatened his motorsport career.

Albon has acquitted himself well in F1 so far, scoring five top-ten finishes in 2019, including an impressive P6 in Germany.

However, Kvyat's track record has been even better, with the young Russian outscoring his teammate by 11 points. Toro Rosso's line-up will now be comprised of two Red Bull racing's rejects. Suffice to say, Gasly and Kvyat will have alot to talk about.

Recently, Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost played down Albon's chances of stepping up to Red Bull, arguing that the 23-year-old needed more experience.

Obviously, the good Doctor Marko begs to differ…

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.