No Red Bull return as Gasly stays at AlphaTauri for 2021 F1 season

AlphaTauri has confirmed that Pierre Gasly will remain with the team for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

The announcement ends speculation linking Gasly with a potential return to Red Bull to replace Alex Albon, who is becoming increasingly under pressure to retain his seat alongside Max Verstappen due to an inconsistent run of results in 2020.

In contrast, Gasly has enjoyed a stunning campaign and sits ninth in the drivers’ championship on 63 points, just one point fewer than what Albon has managed during the opening 12 races of the season at Red Bull.

The Frenchman claimed a shock maiden victory at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza to give AlphaTauri just its second win in F1.

“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.”

There was no word on who Gasly’s teammate at AlphaTauri will be in 2021, though Formula 2 frontrunner and Honda protege Yuki Tsunoda is believed to be in contention to replace Daniil Kvyat, who has managed just 14 points so far this year.

“I’m delighted that Pierre will remain with us for the 2021 season,” AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost added. “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.”