Pierre Gasly has officially extended his contract with Alpine, committing to the team until 2028. The announcement was made ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, a noteworthy event for Gasly, who celebrated a memorable victory at this same race in 2021 while driving for AlphaTauri.
This contract extension not only guarantees Gasly's presence in the team for several more years but also underscores Alpine's confidence in him as they prepare for significant changes in Formula 1. Alpine is poised to enter a new regulatory era in 2026, and the team views Gasly as central to their ambitions moving forward.
"I'm thrilled to commit my long-term future to Alpine. As a Frenchman, especially, driving for a French car company makes me feel very proud," said Pierre Gasly, expressing his enthusiasm about remaining with the team. "Since I joined in 2023, I have always felt that this team is the right place to be for the future. Flavio's support and belief in me, François' commitment to the Formula One project, as well as the people we have in Enstone made this a natural decision."
Gasly's gratitude to the team's leadership was evident: "I want to be here in years to come and deliver on our joint objective: to win races and world championships. We're all in this together and I look forward to continuing this special story."
The timing of this announcement is significant, considering Alpine's struggles in the current championship season, where they find themselves at the bottom of the standings. However, the team has plans to switch to Mercedes engines next season, which they anticipate will enhance their competitiveness.
Alpine’s executive director, Flavio Briatore, also commented on Gasly’s role within the team. He emphasized the importance of Gasly to the future of Alpine, stating, "Since I returned to the team, I have always stated how important it is to build and grow the competitiveness of BWT Alpine Formula One Team. We're well prepared for the new era of Formula 1, beginning in 2026, and now we have our lead driver confirmed to bring us well into the future."
Briatore acknowledged Gasly's contributions thus far, saying, "Pierre has been an immense asset for the team during this challenging period. I have been very impressed with his attitude, dedication, and talent, and we look forward to continuing this project together for a long time."
While Gasly's future is secured, Alpine still faces uncertainty regarding his teammate next season. Currently, Franco Colapinto is filling in for Jack Doohan, but his position remains in flux for 2024. Sources indicate that Colapinto still has a strong chance to stay, while Paul Aron is also in the mix. Doohan, who had a brief stint, appears to be the least likely to continue with the team in the long term.
In summary, Gasly's commitment to Alpine represents a significant step for both the driver and the team as they seek to navigate future changes and improve their standing in Formula 1. With new regulations and a change in power units on the horizon, there is hope that Alpine can rebound and become competitive in the coming seasons.