Gasly still unsure he will miss Super Formula finale for US GP

Pierre Gasly says he may still miss the United States Grand Prix in order to fight for the Super Formula title at Suzuka on the same weekend despite Toro Rosso announcing on Friday he would see out the Formula 1 season.

2016 GP2 champion Gasly has been focusing on Super Formula for much of the year, but was given his F1 debut in Malaysia with Toro Rosso after Daniil Kvyat was dropped due to poor form, joining for at least two races.

With Renault completing its early signing of Carlos Sainz Jr. from the US GP onwards, Toro Rosso confirmed on Friday that Gasly and the returning Kvyat would see out the season, meaning the Frenchman would miss the chance to fight for the Super Formula title on October 22.

Following suggestions that Honda was unhappy about Gasly missing the Super Formula finale at Suzuka, given he is just half a point behind the series leader, Gasly confirmed after the Japanese Grand Prix that nothing had been finalised.

"You know at the moment I haven’t got any confirmation about what’s going to happen in two weeks from Helmut [Marko] and Franz [Tost]," Gasly said.

"I saw [the press release]. I’ll wait to see Helmut before saying anything."

Despite being uncertain where he would be racing on October 22, Gasly is relaxed either way, with both representing great opportunities.

"The two options are really exciting for me," Gasly said.

"If I go to Super Formula, fight for the title and come back in Mexico and finish the season with Toro Rosso, it will be great, because the title is a title.

"But if I can go to Austin and race with Toro Rosso and continue the season with them, I’m not going to complain either because it’s a fantastic opportunity. It’s good experience for me to be in Formula 1.

"So at the moment, we just need to wait, and I’m pretty sure we’ll find out. Next week, everything should be confirmed."