BREAKING: Red Bull sign Pierre Gasly for 2019!

Red Bull Racing have signed Pierre Gasly for the 2019 season, sources have confirmed, as the Frenchman will make the promotion from Toro Rosso to replace the departing Daniel Ricciardo.

He'll be filling the shoes of Daniel Ricciardo, who decided to join Renault from next season onwards.

Gasly has been one of the stand-out performers of the season, as he managed to finish fourth in Bahrain early in the season. Performances have been up and down since, but Gasly, who is driving his first full season after having done four races in 2017, is still one of the biggest talents in F1.

Going full Gas in 2019! @PierreGasly to join Max from next season https://t.co/Gb8jG7ESHQ #F1 pic.twitter.com/BXaPuIGHLn

— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) August 20, 2018

Christian Horner, boss at Red Bull comments on the announcement in a Red Bull statement. 

“Since Pierre first stepped into a Formula One seat with Scuderia Toro Rosso less than a year ago he has proved the undoubted talent that Red Bull has nurtured since his early career," Horner said. 

"His stellar performances this year at the Honda-powered team, in only his first full season in Formula One, have only enhanced his reputation as one of the most exciting young drivers in motorsport and we look forward to Pierre bringing his speed, skill and attitude to the Team in 2019."

Another wrinkle is Gasly's relationship with Honda, which goes back to his days in the Super Formula. He's been working with the Japanese carmaker for years, including this season at Toro Rosso, which could prove useful as Red Bull build their relationship with Honda.

Gasly will be teaming up with Max Verstappen, making the pair the second youngest on the grid (Gasly is 22, Verstappen is 20), only being slightly edged out by Williams duo Sergey Sirotkin and Lance Stroll (22 and 19 respectively). However, the Red Bull duo will likely be fighting at the top of the grid, rather than the back, where Williams have mostly been this season.