Gasly says he didn't claim he will take Toro Rosso seat for next race
Monday 5 September 2016 13:08, UK
Pierre Gasly has moved to deny suggestions he will be replacing Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso for the Singapore Grand Prix.
Following another GP2 podium finish at Monza for Gasly, the Red Bull reserve driver was reported to have told Spanish television he would be taking the Russian's seat at the next race on the calendar.
The 20-year-old Frenchman, however, took to Twitter after the events of Sunday to clarify that he would not be stepping in for Kvyat.
"Better to make it clear now, never said I would replace Daniil in Singapore, just said that I hope to get my opportunity in F1 asap. #rumour," he wrote.
And Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was also quick to downplay suggestions that Gasly would be making the step up from GP2 so soon.
When questioned about what Gasly was reported to have said, the Austrian told Sky Sports F1: "Who said that? It's absolute rubbish. Kvyat will have his chance to recover and we won't make any decisions before mid-October who will have the seat next year in Toro Rosso.
"It's news to me and, believe me, I will be on the phone to him immediately."
Kvyat suffered another disappointing day in 2016 at Monza as he failed to complete the race in his Toro Rosso.
It has been a nightmare season for the Russian so far, who started the season alongside Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull, before losing his place to Max Verstappen after just four races.
Don't miss the F1 Report for the analysis of the Italian GP. The Telegraph's Daniel Johnson and former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley join Natalie Pinkham in the studio at 8.30pm on Wednesday.
