Gasly laughs off innuendo over 'final details of contract' video

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Amid rumors of his possible transfer to Alpine for 2023, Pierre Gasly laughed off insinuations on social media over a video from Spa in which the AlphaTauri driver is heard saying that he is working on the "final details of the contract".

Ahead of last week's Belgian Grand Prix, it emerged that Gasly had become a potential candidate for Fernando Alonso's seat at Alpine next season, with the French outfit reportedly in talks with Red Bull over Gasly's early release from his contract with the energy drink company.

In a video clip from last weekend's driver parade at Spa, Gasly is seen walking alongside Charles Leclerc and Russell and telling the latter: "I’m still working on the final details of the contract."

That was enough for the peeps on social media to spin their own narrative, suspecting Gasly was in fact confiding into Leclerc and Russell about his 2023 plans.

But at Zandvoort on Thursday, the AlphaTauri charger dismissed everyone's wild interpretation of the clip.

"If you guys would have any idea of the subject we were talking about, you’ll probably laugh," Gasly said.

"I can guarantee you, it was nothing related to Formula 1."

In the video, Russell is heard saying the word "married" just before Gasly's comment.

"So you guys can figure out it wasn’t car-related," smiled the Frenchman who admitted to being "quite impressed how a topic can be deviated from its origin".

Read also: Gasly to Alpine could open door for Schumacher to join AlphaTauri

Addressing his future on a serious note, the 2020 Italian Grand Prix winner said that he had no fresh news to report on his situation since last week at Spa.

"I said it last week, for next year currently, I’m contracted for AlphaTauri," he said. "Everybody is aware of my contract situation. For now, nothing has changed.

"I’m with AlphaTauri, I’m giving my best to AlphaTauri as long as I’ll be driving for this team. They gave me my first seat in Formula 1, they gave me my first victory.

"For now, I don’t feel like commenting anything. As long as I’m driving for this team, I’ll always give my 110%."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.