AlphaTauri to retain Gasly for 2023

The Frenchman reacted enthusiastically to his extended stay. "I have been with this team for five years now and I am proud of the journey we’ve been through together and the progress we have made," he stated in the press release. "This year’s new regulations have created new challenges for us and being able to plan our development with the team for the next 18 months is a good working basis for the future."

Team boss Franz Tost was also happy to announce the news: "He is definitely in the group of the best and most competitive drivers in F1 and has proven his abilities during all the time he has spent with us. Undoubtedly, Pierre can play a major role in the team having a successful season next year and it will be down to us to provide him with a competitive car, so that he can continue to deliver excellent results."

Gasly hoping for top team

After his excellent season in 2021, Gasly was still hoping to return to Red Bull Racing. However, the Austrian stable made a clear choice by extending Sergio Perez's contract, which meant that he could put a second chance at Red Bull in the coming years out of his mind.

At other top teams it also became complicated for him to join next calendar year. For instance, Ferrari is temporarily targeting Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, while Mercedes wants to do so in 2023 with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.