Pierre Gasly has claimed that Yuki Tsunoda has told him that he thinks he “deserves more” when it comes to earning an opportunity with Red Bull’s parent Formula 1 team.

Tsunoda has performed a spectacular campaign in his fourth term with Red Bull’s sister side as he has outscored his more experienced team-mate Daniel Ricciardo 22-12.

However, Red Bull has continued to remain unenamoured with offering Tsunoda a shot with the senior team, despite Sergio Perez’s troubles putting doubt on his spot.

Ricciardo remains the likeliest prospect should a mid-season transfer materialize and Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson is also ranked higher in the line than Tsunoda.

Tsunoda has been forthright about his frustration at being ignored as he thinks that his results this season would deserve him being nominated to join Max Verstappen.

Gasly, who drove alongside Tsunoda at the Faenza-based club between 2021-22, has disclosed that the Japanese racer has opened up to him about his F1 problems.

“I always said Yuki is very fast,” Gasly told Autosport. “I have seen it. He has demonstrated that over the past few seasons and he will continue to prove it. “I have talked to him about it, we have had conversations and I know he wants more and feels he deserves more.

“It’s not an easy position. Personally, I would have liked him to receive an opportunity at Red Bull, but I am not Helmut Marko [Red Bull’s Driver Development Programme Head].”

Gasly, who survived 12 races at Red Bull when he was dropped mid-season in 2019, may relate to Tsunoda’s misery as he was denied a desired return to the top setup.

Despite numerous strong finishes, including a historic first win at Monza in 2020, the Frenchman wasn’t given a second shot and went to Alpine in 2022.

But although he has been advised to investigate possibilities outside the Red Bull stable, Gasly believes that patience will reward Tsunoda with the opportunity that he seeks. “I have been in a similar position to him,” he added.

“What I say to him is: ‘Just keep doing what you are doing. As long as you are competitive, at some point you will attain the perfect place’.”

Red Bull has opted to grant the underpressure Perez with a reprieve beyond the summer break, with Ricciardo also retaining his spot with the rebranded RB outfit.

Meanwhile, unlike his team-mate, Tsunoda is guaranteed to be on the grid next term since RB revealed in June that his contract with the squad had been extended.