The “Silly Season” is in full swing in Formula 1 and brings more exciting rumors to light. This time the focus: Pierre Gasly, whose rumored clause could trigger a chain reaction.
Pierre Gasly has been in Formula 1 for more than five years in the Red Bull cosmos. He took his first steps in Toro Rosso in 2017 and 2018 before, after good performances at the sister racing team, he was even promoted to the main team for the 2019 season. But things didn’t go according to plan for the young Frenchman at Red Bull, who had to return to Toro Rosso after the summer break that same year.
Since then, the 26-year-old has continued to drive extremely confidently for the Italian F1 team, which is now called AlphaTauri. Although Gasly only extended his current contract – almost routinely – at the end of June and will therefore also drive for the Faenza-based racing team in 2023, at least on paper, rumors are now circulating that the Frenchman has an exit clause in his contract. The “RacingNews365” portal claims to have experienced this.
Accordingly, Gasly can take an option and leave AlphaTauri if he is offered a change to a higher-ranked team. In the Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship, that would currently be Haas, Alfa Romeo, McLaren, Alpine, Mercedes and Ferrari (as well as Red Bull). While the last three – the top teams in the premier class – have no space available, cockpits are theoretically vacant at least at Alpine, McLaren and Haas.
Above all, the place at Alpine is currently on everyone’s lips, after Fernando Alonso’s move to Aston Martin for the new season it should actually go to youngster and test driver Oscar Piastri. But this was publicly rejected and has long been associated with a move to McLaren, where Daniel Ricciardo is about to end.
Does Gasly create a French connection at Alpine?
Most recently, it was said that Ricciardo could return to Alpine, where he drove in 2019 and 2020. But now it also seems possible that Gasly will join the former Renault racing team and form a France connection together with Esteban Ocon. The French car manufacturer should like this.
Gasly, on the other hand, could show after breaking out of the Red Bull cosmos that he is capable of performing well without the Red Bull on the bonnet.
It should then be difficult for Ricciardo, who is said to have already been informed by McLaren that Piastri will replace him. The 33-year-old “honey badger”, who absolutely wants to stay in Formula 1, would have to switch to other options. However, there are not many.
An engagement with Haas would be possible. The US racing team has currently put talks with Mick Schumacher on hold about an extension. It remains to be seen whether the US racing team can afford the Australian. He would definitely be a prominent replacement for the Schumacher who had migrated. There is still a spot open at Williams.