(Motorsport) Pierre Gasly will join Alpine for the 2023 Formula 1 season while AlphaTauri have announced that former Formula E champion Nyck de Vries will replace the Frenchman at AlphaTauri. With two time World Champion Fernando Alonso leaving Alpine to join Aston Martin following Sebastian Vettel’s retirement and Oscar Piastri joining McLaren next year, Gasly was Alpine’s number 1 target. The 26 year old has 103 races and one win in his career and will partner alongside countryman Esteban Ocon next year.

Speaking to Skysports, Gasly said “It was a clear call and definitely very attractive. It felt the right time for me to take my own start and take my career on my own and start this incredible story with Alpine. I am extremely excited to join the team on a multi-year deal and work our way to the top together.” Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer said “He brings a wealth of experience, and speed and those are the two things we were looking for.” 

When asked whether his team will be able to manage the situation between the two drivers, Szafnauer said “I'm confident. We spoke to both of them, and they both said it's their profession and they'll be professional, they'll work together to drive the team forward, and that's what it's about. If there's a little friction as well that could be a good thing, but I think working closely together as they said they will do, perhaps that friendship can be rekindled."

Alpine will be paying Red Bull €10m (£8.8m) to release Gasly from his contract and the Frenchman will be leaving Red Bull for the first time in his F1 career. Speaking about his departure from the team, Gasly said “What's easy in Formula 1? Nothing is easy!. I must admit I'm very thankful to everyone involved because everybody tried their absolute best to make it happen. On Red Bull's side, Christian [Horner, team boss] and Helmut [Marko, team advisor] understood how important, how big this opportunity was to me and my desire to go there and start this new adventure with Alpine. 

“It's a big change in my career. I'm closing a nine-year chapter with Red Bull, having had a lot of success in younger categories as well as my five years in Formula 1, my first win, podiums. I'm starting a new chapter with Alpine. It's a fresh start. "I had another year in my contract and it was kind of sealed for next year, then everything happened and this opportunity came up. I thought about it and I must admit straight away I knew this was the right move."

AlphaTauri was quick to take action, replacing Gasly with Mercedes’ reserve driver Nyck de Vries. The Dutchman made a very impressive F1 debut recently when he replaced Alex Albon who was unwell and his performance catapulted him on the wishlist of many Formula 1 teams. The 27 year old was Formula 2 champion in 2019 and recently won Formula E as well. 

Speaking after his signing, Nyck de Vries said “I'm extremely excited to be joining Scuderia AlphaTauri for 2023. After Formula 2, I took a slightly different path with motorsport, but F1 has always been my dream and I'm grateful to be able to fulfil it. I've had a lot of chances to experience the 2022 car this year and I think that has put me in a great position for the upcoming season. I hope this has helped to prepare me for what is to come." 

AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost said “Now, we are pleased to start a new chapter with Nyck, who's very much welcome at Scuderia AlphaTauri. He is a very high skilled driver, as he won in all the categories he competed in, with many races and championships under his belt. His last big success was winning the Formula E World Championship, and this is clear evidence that he is a very competitive driver, who deserves a seat in F1." 

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