The next place on the Formula 1 driver market is filled: Pierre Gasly extended his Alpine contract until 2026 before the GP weekend in Austria. The French F1 team announced this on Thursday. Gasly’s contract previously only ran until the end of the 2024 season, but it was unclear whether there was an option for the coming season.
Alpine has fallen far short of its own expectations since the start of the current Formula 1 season. Esteban Ocon’s departure from the team at the end of the season has been a given since May, and Gasly is said to have already approached the competition and explored his options. However, the extension with Alpine came after a series of points-scoring results in the last three Grands Prix, which indicate a clear upward trend for the Renault brand.
Pierre Gasly: I feel good at Alpine
Gasly has been racing for Alpine since 2023, having previously spent his entire F1 career in the Red Bull cosmos since 2017 and even winning the Italian GP for AlphaTauri in 2020. Gasly explained his extension as follows: “I feel very comfortable in this great team. I enjoy being a real part of both the Formula 1 project and the larger vision of Alpine Cars.”
“Although the season so far has been challenging on the race track, I remain loyal to the project and will not go anywhere. I am happy with the changes made, the hard work and the direction the team is taking. The staff and resources of this team have a lot of potential,” he is convinced.
Team boss Bruno Famin was quoted in the press release as saying: “The extension of Pierre’s contract with the team is very pleasing. He is a driver with enormous experience in Formula 1 and continues to show great potential on the racetrack.”
Who will be Gasly’s teammate? Alpine: We’re taking our time
The Alpine Motorsport Director promises Gasly a more powerful package for the future: “Even though this is important for our future, we have to keep our eyes on what’s coming and that is to focus on improving our current package. We have big plans for the current season and we will work tirelessly to achieve these goals.”
It is not yet known who will be Gasly’s teammate next year. Mick Schumacher is said to have a chance of succeeding Esteban Ocon. The Mercedes test driver is expected to prove himself against Jack Doohan at a Formula 1 test in Le Castellet. At the same time, Carlos Sainz is also being discussed as an option for Alpine. Famin announced that the decision could take some time: “We will take our time in deciding on Pierre’s teammate and we have exciting options to choose from.