Gasly reflects on the "most difficult" year of his career

Pierre Gasly has endured a tough year for many reasons, starting at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, returning to Toro Rosso and losing a close friend as 2019 draws towards a close.

The Frenchman joined Red Bull Racing this year as Daniel Ricciardo moved to Renault but after a difficult opening to the season was replaced by Alex Albon, downgrading to Toro Rosso.

Gasly's first race of the season at Toro Rosso was overshadowed by the death of his close friend Anthoine Hubert, who died following a serious incident in Formula 2 at the Spa circuit.

"I experienced all kinds of feelings and emotions, from frustration to anger to the saddest moments of my life at Spa with Anthoine, and two months later, at one of the happiest with my life with my first podium in F1," Gasly told Motorsport.com.

"When I heard the news, I was really shocked and a little angry. I did not think it was right, because the first six months were far from what we should have shown. "