Ocon signs for Alpine: What are the consequences for Gasly?

Gasly and Alpine rumours

It has been confirmed that both Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso will continue to drive for Alpine next year. Pierre Gasly, currently driving for AlphaTauri, was previously linked to the seat at Alpine, but this door seems to be closed now. What consequences will this have for the driver?

No place at Mercedes, Ferrari or McLaren

Ocon's contract extension at Alpine is good news for George Russell who now seems to be the only option to replace Valtteri Bottas. Gasly could potentially be a driver Mercedes would be interested in, but Russell has been backed by Toto Wolff for years, and the Frenchman simply wouldn't be picked up the current Williams driver.

Charles Leclerc will drive for Ferrari until 2024 and Carlos Sainz has a contract until the end of 2022, so the door is closed there as well. Furthermore, McLaren is not an option, as both Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris already have a seat for next year.

For, Gasly it seems that he will stay with AlphaTauri. Helmut Marko had already indicated that the rumours linking him with Alpine were false, and Gasly appears to be happy at Red Bull's sister team. He has indicated several times that he likes his job at AlphaTauri and a podium finish in Baku will have certainly helped his feelings towards staying at the team.

With Sergio Perez likely to be staying with Red Bull for 2022, Gasly may have a shot at redemption in 2023, but for now, he'll remain at AlphaTauri.