After a rookie season in 2018 that saw him comfortably see off Toro Rosso team mate Brendon Hartley to emerge a star performer, Pierre Gasly's struggles have been painful to watch since his promotion to Red Bull. But team boss Christian Horner has stood by his driver, writing off a return to Toro Rosso for Gasly – or worse – after another difficult weekend for the Frenchman in Austria.

Gasly crossed the finish line in Austria just 7.2s behind team mate and race winner Max Verstappen, but a lap down. Even after Verstappen almost stalled on the grid and fell from second to eighth.

READ MORE: Horner calls Verstappen the best driver on the grid after Austria win

It was arguably the nadir of a season that’s seen Gasly fail to build a rapport with the RB15.

“I haven't found exactly what I want from the car, so we will keep pushing,” he said after Sunday’s race.

“I'm a really competitive guy and there is work to do… I have a lot to learn and take from having Max next to me. I want to deliver more and I know I can, so now we need to work.”