AlphaTauri has announced that it has retained Pierre Gasly for the 2021 Formula 1 season following a successful campaign that saw him become a race winner this year.
The confirmation officially ends speculation suggesting that Gasly could return to Red Bull Racing in place of Alexander Albon,
Gasly stepped up to Formula 1 with AlphaTauri under its Toro Rosso moniker towards the end of 2017.
For 2019, he was promoted to the senior Red Bull team as a replacement for Daniel Ricciardo, but was dropped back to Toro Rosso halfway through the year due to poor results.
Gasly scored a shock maiden podium at last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix and this year sprung a surprise by triumphing on home soil for AlphaTauri in Italy.
“I’m extremely happy to continue with Scuderia AlphaTauri for another season,” Gasly said.
“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.”
AlphaTauri has not confirmed the identity of Gasly’s team-mate amid widespread speculation that Daniil Kvyat will be dropped in favour of Yuki Tsunoda.
AlphaTauri Team Principal Franz Tost said of Gasly’s signing: “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.”
