AlphaTauri confirm Pierre Gasly is to remain with the team for 2021

AlphaTauri have confirmed Pierre Gasly will continue to drive for the team for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

The Frenchman began his F1 career with the team – then known as Toro Rosso – in 2017 before he was called up to the senior Red Bull team in 2019 to replace the departing Daniel Ricciardo.

After a tough time at the team he re-joined Toro Rosso mid-season in a swap with Alex Albon, but this year has been in fine form – not least when he took his maiden F1 victory in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

And today the team confirmed he would be remaining with the team for the 2021 season.

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The 24-year-old said: “I’m extremely happy to continue with Scuderia AlphaTauri for another season! 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.”

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

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"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.”

The team have yet to announce who will fill their second seat – currently held by Daniil Kvyat – but this announcement ends speculation that Gasly would return to Red Bull next season given his impressive form in 2020.