Gasly: 'That was the main reason for going to Alpine'

Gasly had a turbulent career at Red Bull. He joined the then Toro Rosso as a junior after becoming champion in GP2 in 2016. In 2019, he was allowed to try out at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, but was replaced by Alexander Albon after just half a season. The Frenchman remained within the Red Bull team in the following years, but was only given a chance at AlphaTauri. It seemed as if the Frenchman was unable to move up within the Red Bull ranks, so his move to Alpine is seen by some as an escape and his only opportunity to ever make it to a top team.

Willpower from Alpine pulled Gasly over the line

Gasly himself also sees it as a big step. In the summer, the opportunity was suddenly there and talks about the possible switch began. Gasly saying goodbye to Red Bull after nine years, almost his entire racing career, feels like closing a chapter. However, the Frenchman does say that it also immediately felt like the right choice. After all, Alpine is an ambitious team that has been growing solidly in recent years. Currently, the team is fighting McLaren for fourth place in the constructors' championship.

Enthusiasm can also be detected the other way round. Alpine seems to have fought hard to bring in Gasly. This was one of the most crucial reasons for Gasly to go to Alpine. "[What] made it very clear for me that I should go there, is how strong their will was to get me out of Red Bull and to get me in that car." According to Gasly, the negotiations were tough but there is a lot of trust and belief in each other from both sides.