AlphaTauri re-sign Pierre Gasly for 2021
Pierre Gasly has secured his place on the 2021 F1 grid, as AlphaTauri has confirmed the 24-year-old Frenchman will race for the team next year.
If you were wondering whether Gasly would be a Red Bull yo-yo, wonder no more. Red Bull’s Alex Albon hasn’t had the easiest 2020 so far, leading many to wonder if Gasly would find his way back in Red Bull for 2021, having been promoted to the team from Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) in 2019 and dropped back down again less than half-way through that season. It appears, however, that AlphaTauri is keen to hold on to Gasly, now a Grand Prix winner with a storming drive at Monza this year.
Gasly said: “I’m extremely happy to continue with Scuderia AlphaTauri for another season! This year is going very well, and we are on track to have our most successful season in the team’s history.
"I feel we have a very strong relationship, we have managed to take every opportunity that’s come our way, the best one at the Italian Grand Prix. Winning my first Formula 1 race in Monza was a very special moment for me, and it was made extra sweet to deliver a second win in the team’s history, so I’m very proud of that.
"I’ll do my maximum to push the team and take all my responsibility to bring it as far forward as I can. I’m looking forward to next year’s challenge and continuing with AlphaTauri both as a premium fashion brand and a racing team, to keep performing as much as I can to achieve even more success in the future.”
Gasly is just the second driver to win with the team, as Sebastian Vettel took his and the team’s first victory at Monza in 2008.
AlphaTauri’s team boss Franz Tost said: “I’m delighted that Pierre will remain with us for the 2021 season. He has been part of the Red Bull driver pool for many years and I hope he will remain in the Red Bull family for many seasons ahead.
"Since he came back to the team last year, he consistently showed extremely good performances achieving two podiums, with a second place in Brazil in 2019 and a win at the team’s home race at this year’s Italian Grand Prix.
"Pierre has proven to be highly competitive also thanks to his great race craft, extracting the car’s potential at every race and giving valuable feedback to his engineers.
"He is mentally very strong, he is always motivated and when he sets a goal he gives it his all to achieve it. I’m looking forward to extending this cooperation and having a successful 2021 season together.”
Gasly’s current team-mate Daniil Kvyat, another driver who was elevated to Red Bull and then dropped back down again, has not yet been confirmed for 2021.
Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.
Formula 1
F1 2021
Pierre Gasly
AlphaTauri
