AlphaTauri has confirmed Pierre Gasly will remain with the team next year forming half of its 2021 driver line-up.
Gasly has been with the Faenza-based outfit across two stints having made his debut for Toro Rosso at the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix.
After an impressive first-full campaign the following year, Gasly was promoted to the senior Red Bull team for 2019, but the relationship lasted just 12 races.
His on-track struggles resulted in him returning to Toro Rosso in a straight swap with Alex Albon, finishing the season strongly with a maiden podium finish in Brazil.
The Frenchman has been a consistent points scorer in 2020, registering eight top-10 finishes to sit ninth in the drivers’ standings after 12 races.
Gasly highlight of the season came at the Italian Grand Prix when he claimed a shock victory, becoming the first French driver to in Formula 1 for 24 years.
“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. 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.”
AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost said he is “delighted” to retain Gasly for another year, praising his performances that put the team on course to record its best-ever points tally.
“I’m delighted that Pierre will remain with us for the 2021 season,” Tost said. “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.”
AlphaTauri is yet to announce who will fill the second seat, with current driver Daniil Kvyat under pressure to keep his drive for next year.
Formula 2 driver and Red Bull junior Yuki Tsunoda is in contention for an F1 seat, but the Honda-backed driver is required to earn enough superlicense points in his rookie season.
The decision on the second driver could could rest on Red Bull as it considers Albon’s future in light of his difficult 2020 campaign.
