Pierre Gasly has completed a move from Scuderia AlphaTauri to BWT Alpine F1 Team after weeks of rumor and speculation.
Gasly will form an all-French driver lineup with Esteban Oconfor the first time in formula 1 since 1994. Gasly has been part of the Red Bull family for almost nine years, but after not getting a second chance with Oracle Red Bull Racinghe has looked to leave the family.
The Frenchman debuted for Scuderia Toro Rosso (Now AlphaTauri) in 2017 and was promoted to the main Red Bull team in 2019 to race alongside Max Verstappenbut after poor performance and lots of media attention, he was moved back to Toro Rosso and swapped seats with, now Williams Racing driver, Alex Albon. Gasly’s return to Toro Rosso saw him secure his first podium in Formula 1 at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Alpine have been snubbed by both Fernando Alonsowho chose to replace Sebastian Vettel at the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team other Oscar Piastri, who signed for the team’s rivals at the McLaren F1 team. Despite the two drivers not joining the French outfit, Gasly has been their number-one target since August and has delivered impressive results throughout his F1 career, including victory in the 2020 Italian Grand Prix.
Gasly is delighted with the news and is hoping he can continue to impress in his career with a car capable of securing podiums and high-point finishes.
“I am delighted to join the Alpine family and begin this new chapter in my Formula 1 career. Driving for a team that has French roots is something very special. I know the strengths of Alpine having raced against them over the past couple of years and, clearly, their progress and ambition is very impressive.
“I wish to thank Red Bull as this marks the end of our 9-year journey together. It is thanks to their trust and support that I became a Formula 1 driver, and what we’ve achieved with Scuderia AlphaTauri over the last years has been very special.
“Looking ahead, I want to give the maximum and utilize all my experience to fight for podiums and ultimately contribute to Alpine’s fight for championships in the future.”
Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images/RedBull Content Pool
team principal, Otmar Szafnauer is looking forward to seeing Gasly at Alpine and is hoping that the drivers can develop a good partnership.
I’m very happy that Pierre will be joining the team for 2023 and beyond. He is already a proven talent within Formula 1, and we are looking forward to harnessing that within the team. Our team has several objectives for the coming seasons and I firmly believe our driver line-up is a great reflection of the team’s high ambitions.
“I trust Pierre and Esteban can, together, motivate the team to continue its progress towards these goals. We would also like to thank Red Bull for agreeing the terms to allow Pierre to take this step.”
Laurent Rossi the Chief Executive Officer of Alpine spoke on Gasly’s racing pedigree and his success in Formula 1 over the last few years with AlphaTauri including his first win in the sport at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix.
“I would like to welcome Pierre to the Alpine family. He is a talented and motivated driver who will contribute positively to our objectives in Formula 1. Pierre is completely aligned with the ambition and progression that has, to date, been a hallmark of the Alpine project.
“As a young, but highly experienced and successful driver, his trajectory is on course with our own, and we look forward to growing together.”
Luca de Meo the Chief Executive Officer of the Renault Group is proud of the move and is looking forward to seeing an all-French driver lineup on the grid from next season, claiming that this signing links to the teams Normandy roots.
“We are proud to present an all-French driver lineup from 2023. Our roots are in France, and Alpine was born in Normandy, so this is a serendipity of sorts. Both will drive the team and the Group forward and, I hope, we can become a symbol of pride for France.”
