Pierre Gasly, who is racing this Formula 1 season with AlphaTauri, has signed a contract with the Alpine team, in which he will form a French duo with Esteban Ocon from 2023, the Italian team announced on Saturday, during the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Frenchman’s place in the Red Bull satellite team will be occupied by Dutchman Nyck de Vries, who made his Formula 1 debut at the Italian Grand Prix last month due to the loss of Thailand’s Alex Albon (Williams).
“Gasly represents exactly what we need”, assessed the general manager of the Alpine, Laurent Rossi, in the statements collected by the AFP agency. “He has already shown that he can win, score points and he is also very young,” he stressed.
Gasly, who in Formula 1 took one victory (Italy 2020) and two other podiums (second in Brazil 2019 and third in Azerbaijan 2021), will replace veteran two-time Spanish champion Fernando Alonso (41 years old), who will be next year he will join Aston Martin and enjoy a contract for “several years”, according to the team.
In Alpine, Gasly, 26, will find himself with his compatriot Ocon, the same age. “Driving for a team of French origins is something very special. I know Alpine’s strengths from racing with them over the past two years and clearly their progress and ambitions are truly impressive. “
Trained at Red Bull Academy, Gasly transitioned to Formula 1 in 2017 at the Toro Rosso satellite team (later renamed AlphaTauri). Now the pilot will try his luck by putting an end to his relationship with the Austrian giant. “It’s a chapter that ends and a new adventure begins,” said the driver before the Japanese Grand Prix.
Gasly will be replaced by De Vries, who at his debut in Italy took 13th place in place of Albon, who had appendicitis. The 27-year-old driver has won the Formula 2 and Formula E world titles. The Dutchman said he was “extremely excited” to join AlphaTauri.
“After Formula 2, I have followed another path in motorsport, but Formula 1 has always been my dream. I have had many opportunities to drive Formula 1 cars this season and I hope these experiences will have a positive impact on me. for the 2023 season. and help me in the future, “De Vries was thrilled.
Source: Clarin
