@alex_albon replaces @PierreGASLY at @RedBullRacing from #BelgianGP onwards. #F1

Alexander Albon has been promoted to Red Bull’s senior squad to drive alongside Max Verstappen from the Belgian Grand Prix onwards, while Pierre Gasly will return to sister outfit Scuderia Toro Rosso.

Gasly, who has been unable to match Verstappen since being brought into the Milton Keynes-based outfit as a replacement for Daniel Ricciardo, will return to the Toro Rosso squad in a straight switch.

Red Bull previously claimed that Gasly’s seat with the team was secure until the end of the current campaign.

The British-Thai driver Albon has exceeded expectations in his debut Formula One season with Toro Rosso.

His swift Red Bull promotion is a chance to evaluate the youngster for a potential full season in 2020 alongside Verstappen.

“Red Bull are in the unique position of having four talented Formula One drivers under contract who can be rotated between the Team and Toro Rosso. The Team will use the next nine races to evaluate Alex’s performance in order to make an informed decision as to who will drive alongside Max in 2020.” The team said in a statement.

“Everyone at the Team looks forward to welcoming Alex and supporting him during the next phase of his F1 career.” You can read it in full at the link: https://redbullracing.redbull.com/article/alex-joins-team

Daniil Kvyat was considered as a favourite to move back up to Red Bull had the outfit decided to drop Gasly either during the year or ahead of the 2020 season.

Kvyat, who was himself relegated from Red Bull to Toro Rosso back in 2016, had given the Faenza-based squad it’s first podium since the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at the wet and wild German Grand Prix last month. He is currently topping Albon 27 to 16 in the Driver’s Championship.

While Verstappen has scored two victories this season, Gasly failed to make the podium in his half-year with the team and is three places and a whopping 118 points behind the Dutchman in the standings.