Red Bull is looking less and less like an option for Pierre Gasly, who has seen the Austrian team opt for Sergio Perez until at least 2024. At AlphaTauri, the Frenchman has some decisions to make about his future in F1
Pierre Gasly is serene about Red Bull's renewal of Sergio Pérez until 2024. After all, in the view of the 'objective' French driver, the Austrian team's decision is not at all surprising - given that 'Czech' does a great job in the RB18's cockpit.
"It's always good to have clarity and know what's going on. It's not like (Pérez's renewal) is a surprise, because I'm a very objective person. Based on what they (Red Bull) expect from a second driver, Pérez meets all the requirements. He is having a fantastic season, performing very well, has good experience, and is a good fit for the team.
With a contract signed with the team until the end of next season, Gasly is already thinking about his next steps. Staying at Red Bull is not discarded - and it's even an appeal from Helmut Marko, the taurine consultant, who already said that AlphaTauri "is the best alternative" for the French driver.
▶️ Meet the GRAND PRIZE channel on Twitch by clicking here!
"Right now, beyond 2023, I consider all options - since I won't have a contract. Red Bull wants to keep me in their program, but we need to see how that would work out. After 10 years of 'relationship', Red Bull has known me since I was a kid. We have a good relationship with Helmut (Marko), and I think it's a matter of figuring out how to make it work for all of us," said the driver.
Gasly arrived in Formula 1 at the end of 2017 with the then Toro Rosso. Two years later, he moved up to the top team, but failed to perform like Max Verstappen and was replaced by Alexander Albon after just 12 races. Back at Toro Rosso, which became AlphaTauri in 2020, Gasly was reborn. He took his first category win at the 2020 Italian GP and passed the 100-point mark last season.
However, the 2022 for the Frenchman and his team has not been one of the best - quite the contrary. "This year is not as competitive as we expected. Last season, we were qualifying sixth often, alongside Charles (Leclerc). It's crazy how, from one year to the next, a lot can change," Gasly said.
"Now, Charles competes for the championship and we compete for the top-10. These are more difficult times. Personally, my ambitions are bigger than just fighting for top-10. That's not what I work for every day. I want more, I want to fight in the front pack," the Frenchman finally determined.