Horner impressed with the way Gasly has adapted to team changes

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner believes that Pierre Gasly has been able to return to his best and perform admirably at Toro Rosso after getting away from the pressure. The 46-year-old has been impressed with the way Gasly has responded to moving down from Red Bull Racing.

The Frenchman largely struggled at the start of the season when driving for Red Bull Racing, and was duly replaced by Alex Albon.

Since then, Gasly has performed brilliantly and secured a surprising second-place finish at the recent Brazilian Grand Prix, only behind Max Verstappen.

"I think the way he embraced the change," Horner told Motorsport.com.

"He had two choices. He could either have got depressed about it, or be grateful for the fact that he was still involved in Formula 1 and that Red Bull still believed in him. I think he embraced it rather than got dejected by it.

"And I think there was almost a slight relief as well because obviously the pressure only mounts [in F1], and he came into the season after two crashes.

"Then, there were some really tough races for him and you guys [the media] don't cut much slack either."

With just one race remaining, Gasly is level on points with Carlos Sainz on 95 points for the battle for sixth in the drivers' standings.