Horner: Gasly pace encouraging despite DNF

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner was pleased with Pierre Gasly's speed at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite the Frenchman having to retire early with a technical fault.

It's been a far from ideal start to life at Red Bull for Gasly - with his best position coming in China, where he finished in sixth. But Horner believes Gasly is still very much the right driver for the team, after replacing Daniel Ricciardo, with the Aussie leaving for Renault.

"His pace was very encouraging [in Baku]. He has a lot of positive to remember, we saw in free practice that he was much more comfortable with the car," Horner said.

"It just takes a little while, and of course he's facing a huge barometer next door [Verstappen], which is one of the best on the board."

Gasly has been outperformed by Max Verstappen on each race so far this season, with the Dutchman recording fourth-place in his past three races.