VIDEO: What next for Pierre Gasly’s future in F1?
After completing his path to Formula 1 redemption, Pierre Gasly has underlined his credentials as a grand prix winner, but what does his future hold?
Gasly was one of the standout performers in 2020 as he remarkably bounced back from the lows of a difficult 2019 season, in which the Frenchman was demoted by Red Bull before his best friend Anthoine Hubert was killed in a Formula 2 race at Spa-Francorchamps during his first weekend back at Toro Rosso.
A maiden podium at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix and a string of outstanding displays across 2020 - including a shock victory at Monza - have helped Gasly quickly rebuilt his reputation.
Despite his remarkable form, Red Bull’s decision to sign Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s new teammate highlighted the team’s reluctance to re-promote the 25-year-old from AlphaTauri.
Gasly is set to be one of the key players in the 2022 F1 driver market, but should he stick with AlphaTauri or make a move to another team in an attempt to elevate his career to the next level?
That is the topic of our latest F1 video, which you can watch below…
Crash.net F1 Digital Editor Lewis Larkam’s verdict:
The Red Bull door seems firmly shut after the events of last season, with the team apparently unwilling to reverse its previous decision and admit it made a mistake.
Gasly may well find himself in a good place as AlphaTauri’s team leader, but with the Faenza squad stuck playing second-fiddle to Red Bull, the Frenchman will have to seek pastures new if he wants to achieve his ambition of fighting at the very front of the F1 grid.
There is increasing talk of a potential switch to fellow midfield outfit Alpine, which has its eyes sets on moving further up the grid and returning to winning ways by capitalising on F1’s regulation overhaul in 2022.
A move to the French manufacturer may be viewed as something of a sideways step for Gasly, but it would also make a lot of sense. It is after all a double world championship-winning outfit that boasts works team status.
From Alpine’s perspective, Gasly would be an attractive option to partner Fernando Alonso and would surely sit high up on its wish list should Esteban Ocon fail to make a solid improvement in 2021.
Where do you think Pierre Gasly will end up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.