Toro Rosso to announce Gasly’s US GP replacement

Team owner Red Bull will imminently decide who will replace Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly at the US grand prix next weekend.

Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko says Toro Rosso’s media statement saying Gasly will race alongside Daniil Kvyat in Austin was "wrong".

He said the team was caught off-guard by the late deal reached between Renault and Red Bull regarding the early release of Carlos Sainz to the French team.

"Renault decided very late and a little unexpectedly in changing (Jolyon) Palmer," Marko told Auto Motor und Sport.

"Gasly cannot drive in Austin because our new engine partner Honda wants him to get the Super Formula title at the same time in Japan," he added. "We cannot deny their wish."

There is reportedly a huge list of potential one-off replacements for Gasly.

Among them are Robert Kubica, Sergey Sirotkin, Sebastien Buemi and even Takuma Sato and Indycar champion Josef Newgarden.

"Don’t worry," Marko said. "We will know who is in the second Toro Rosso on Tuesday."

Buemi, a long-time Red Bull-backed driver, is perhaps the frontrunner.

But Marko admitted that bringing him back to F1 full-time next year as a replacement for Carlos Sainz is unlikely.

"Even if Toyota leaves Le Mans, it would be difficult to get Buemi next year because of Honda," Marko said, referring to the Swiss driver’s existing contract. "The competition between the Japanese companies is too big."