Pierre Gasly is confirmed to stay with AlphaTauri for the 2023 F1 season, as was expected from the Faenza-based team.
The news doesn’t comes as a surprise after team boss Frnaz Tost more or less confirmed that Gasly will stay with AlphaTauri during the Canadian GP weekend. With the Frenchman having a deal in place with Red Bull until the 2023 season, this was more a formality.
The only way he could have exited the contract is if he had a larger offer from a team, but with less seats in the market for 2023, staying at AlphaTauri made a larger sense for Gasly. This will be his fifth full season with the team next year outside the half year in 2019.
“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,” said Gasly. “I’m happy to remain with my Scuderia AlphaTauri team. 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.”
Meanwhile, Tost added: “We are really pleased to confirm that Pierre stays with us in 2023. 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.”
While Gasly is confirmed, it is to be seen if AlphaTauri retains the services of Yuki Tsunoda for another year or bring in a Red Bull junior from F2. The chances for the latter seems less likely for now, considering the improvements made by the Japanese driver.
Here’s Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly on Canada race
Here’s news on Franz Tost confirming Pierre Gasly