Pierre Gasly Confirms Departure from AlphaTauri for Multi-Year Alpine Deal

Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly has officially announced his departure from Red Bull’s junior team, AlphaTauri, at the conclusion of the current season. This move, which comes a year earlier than initially anticipated, will see the talented Frenchman embark on a new chapter of his career with the Alpine F1 Team, signing a multi-year contract to race alongside compatriot Esteban Ocon from the 2023 season onwards.

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Gasly’s highly anticipated transfer fills the coveted seat vacated by two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who made a surprise switch to Aston Martin for the upcoming year. This creates an exciting all-French driver line-up at Alpine, a team with deep French roots and ambitious targets for future Formula 1 success. The confirmation of Gasly’s move brings an end to weeks of intense speculation within the F1 paddock, marking a significant moment in the ongoing ‘silly season’ that reshapes the 2023 grid.

The Road to Alpine: A Contractual Conundrum and a New Beginning

At the start of the 2022 season, Pierre Gasly was seemingly locked into his Red Bull contract, which committed him to AlphaTauri for another two years. This initially left his future beyond 2022 somewhat ambiguous, with speculation rife about his potential return to the senior Red Bull Racing team. However, those hopes were ultimately dashed in May when Sergio Perez secured a contract extension with Red Bull, solidifying his position alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen. Gasly had previously driven for Red Bull Racing during the first half of the 2019 season but was subsequently demoted back to the then-Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) team, a pivotal moment that shaped his career trajectory.

The landscape of the driver market dramatically shifted during the summer break following Fernando Alonso’s unexpected announcement to leave Alpine for Aston Martin. This pivotal decision ignited the F1 ‘silly season’, leaving Alpine with an urgent need to find a high-calibre driver to partner Esteban Ocon. Despite his existing Red Bull contract, Pierre Gasly quickly emerged as the front-runner and most logical candidate for the role. The subsequent negotiations to secure his release from Red Bull and AlphaTauri underscore Gasly’s value and Alpine’s determination to build a formidable team for the future.

Pierre Gasly on Embracing a Fresh Challenge

Expressing his excitement for the monumental career shift, Gasly described his move as initiating a “new chapter” in his Formula 1 journey. “Driving for a team that has French roots is something very special to me,” Gasly stated, highlighting the personal significance of joining a marque like Alpine. “I know the strengths of Alpine, having raced against them over the past couple of years, and clearly, their progress and ambition are very impressive. I believe this move comes at a perfect time for me to take the next step in my career, and I’m confident that together we can achieve great things.”

The 26-year-old also took the opportunity to extend his heartfelt gratitude to Red Bull for their unwavering support throughout his formative years and F1 career. “This marks the end of our nine-year journey together, a journey that has been incredibly significant for me,” he acknowledged. “It is thanks to their trust and support that I became a Formula 1 driver. What we’ve achieved with Scuderia AlphaTauri over the last years, including our memorable win, has been truly special and will always hold a place in my heart.”

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Looking ahead with optimism and determination, Gasly articulated his future aspirations with his new team. “I’m eager to give my absolute maximum and utilise all my experience to fight for podiums and ultimately contribute to Alpine’s fight for championships in the future. I believe Alpine has the infrastructure, the talent, and the ambition to challenge at the very front of the grid, and I am incredibly motivated to be a part of that journey.”

Alpine’s Vision: A Formidable All-French Lineup

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer formally thanked Red Bull for releasing Gasly from his contract, facilitating the crucial move. Szafnauer confirmed Gasly’s commitment to Alpine on a multi-year deal, underscoring the team’s long-term strategy. “I’m very happy that Pierre will be joining the team for 2023 and beyond,” Szafnauer commented. “He is already a proven talent within Formula 1, with a Grand Prix victory and multiple podiums to his name, and we are looking forward to harnessing that immense potential and experience within our team environment.”

Szafnauer further elaborated on Alpine’s clear objectives for the forthcoming seasons, emphasizing that the new driver line-up is a powerful reflection of the team’s elevated ambitions. “Our team has several strategic objectives for the coming seasons, aimed at consistently competing at the top of the midfield and eventually challenging the leading teams. I firmly believe that our new driver line-up, featuring two highly motivated and talented French drivers in Pierre and Esteban, is a great reflection of these high ambitions. I trust that Pierre and Esteban, working together constructively, can motivate the entire team to continue its rapid progress towards achieving these significant goals. Their combined experience and competitive spirit will be invaluable as we push for more success.”

A Journey of Resilience: Pierre Gasly’s Illustrious Career Path

Pierre Gasly’s journey through the motorsport ranks has been marked by both immense talent and unwavering resilience. Born in Rouen, France, Gasly was signed to the prestigious Red Bull Junior Team at just 17 years old after triumphing in the 2013 Formula Renault Eurocup. His path through the junior categories was not without its challenges; he endured two-and-a-half winless seasons in Formula Renault 3.5 and GP2 (now Formula 2) before a breakthrough moment in 2016. That year, he delivered a stellar performance to win the highly competitive GP2 title, showcasing his championship-winning credentials.

Despite his GP2 success, Red Bull opted against an immediate promotion to Formula 1, instead placing Gasly in Japan’s Super Formula series and handing him a debut in Formula E. This period, while seemingly a detour, further honed his skills and adaptability. The team eventually provided Gasly with his much-anticipated F1 break at Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) with a five-race spell at the end of the 2017 season, laying the groundwork for his full-time entry.

Excluding his brief and challenging stint at Red Bull Racing during the first 12 races of 2019, which saw him demoted back to the Faenza-based squad, Gasly has been a constant presence and a leading figure at the junior team. His return to AlphaTauri proved to be a catalyst for his career, culminating in an unforgettable maiden F1 win at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix. This victory not only cemented his status as a Grand Prix winner but also demonstrated his capability to perform under pressure and lead a team. His consistent performances and leadership have been crucial for AlphaTauri, regularly delivering points and strong finishes.

The Strategic Implications for Alpine and the 2023 Grid

Gasly’s arrival at Alpine is a significant strategic move for the French outfit. It solidifies their commitment to an all-French identity, enhancing brand appeal and potentially fostering a strong team dynamic, despite historical rivalries between Gasly and Ocon. With two proven Grand Prix winners, Alpine aims to elevate their performance and challenge for higher positions in the Constructors’ Championship. The combination of Gasly’s speed and technical feedback with Ocon’s consistency and experience promises a formidable partnership capable of driving the team forward.

This transfer also has broader implications for the Formula 1 driver market. With Gasly departing AlphaTauri, it opens up a crucial seat within Red Bull’s junior programme, creating an opportunity for emerging talent from their extensive driver academy. The ripple effect of this move underscores the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of the F1 ‘silly season’, where a single decision can trigger a cascade of changes across multiple teams. For Pierre Gasly, however, this represents a pivotal moment, a chance to prove his mettle with a factory team and contend for more consistent success in the years to come.

View the current list of 2023 F1 drivers and teams