Rumour: Gasly found out about Red Bull demotion just hours before announcement

Red Bull made the shock announcement that Alex Albon would replace Pierre Gasly from the Belgian Grand Prix and it is being rumoured that Gasly found out just hours before the news was confirmed.

Gasly has had a challenging season with Red Bull after he stepped up to replace Daniel Ricciardo. The Frenchman failed to make it to Q3 in his opening two races and since then has never finished higher than fourth. Carlos Sainz sits just five points behind him in the Drivers' Championship for McLaren.

Albon will start life at Formula 1's top table in Spa with Gasly dropping down to Toro Rosso with Red Bull stating the move will decide who will partner Max Verstappen in 2020.

Red Bull made the announcement on Monday morning but RMC Sport are reporting that Gasly found out just hours before it was confirmed. They are also reporting that the relationship between the French driver and his engineers was tainted.

However, Gasly's lawyer reportedly told RMC Sport that he is ready to get back to work and "show his true value in a team he loves and with whom he has already proven, Toro Rosso."