The AlphaTauri team has confirmed that Pierre Gasly will continue as their driver for the 2021 season. This announcement effectively clears up any uncertainty regarding whether the Frenchman would move back up to Red Bull.
French Formula 1 race driver Pierre Gasly has decided to race for AlphaTauri in the 2021 season and this news was confirmed by the Formula 1 team. Any speculations of Gasly returning to the Red Bull team came to an end with this announcement.
Franz Tost, the head of AlphaTauri, recently spoke highly of Gasly, stating that he has proven his worth as a top competitor. Tost hopes Gasly remains part of the Red Bull ecosystem for years to come, citing his exceptional ability to optimize the car's performance and provide the engineering team with precise data. According to Tost, Gasly's increased motivation and mental resilience make him the ideal partner for the team heading into 2021.
Gasly made his Formula 1 debut back in 2017 with Toro Rosso, the predecessor to AlphaTauri. He earned a promotion to Red Bull in 2019, but after a dip in performance, he was sent back to AlphaTauri halfway through the year in a direct driver swap with Thailand's Alexander Albon.
Alexander Albon is currently facing a similar crossroads; his spot for the next season isn't guaranteed, largely because he has struggled to keep pace with his teammate, Max Verstappen, in the standings.
Although Daniil Kvyat currently occupies the second seat at AlphaTauri, there is growing chatter that Yuki Tsunoda, a rising star from Formula 2 in Japan, could potentially take his place.
The 24-year-old driver expressed his excitement about staying with Scuderia AlphaTauri, noting that they are currently enjoying one of the most successful periods in the team's history. He believes the strong bond between himself and the crew has allowed them to capitalize on every single opportunity that came their way this year.
This year marked a huge milestone for Gasly, as he secured his first-ever F1 victory at the Italian Grand Prix while driving for AlphaTauri.
Reflecting on his win at Monza, Gasly described it as an unforgettable moment, made even sweeter by the fact that it was only the second victory in the team's history. He vowed to keep pushing his limits to help the team achieve even greater success and higher placements in the upcoming season.