Marko: If conditions are met, Red Bull won't stand in Gasly's way

Helmut Marko says Red Bull will not prevent Pierre Gasly from moving to Alpine, if the conditions for the Frenchman's release are met.

Formula 1's game of musical chairs sparked by Sebastian Vettel's retirement from the sport, Fernando Alonso's move to Alpine and Oscar Piastri's dramatic transfer from the Enstone squad to McLaren, has left the driver's market with a few more dominoes to fall.

One of those is the identity of the driver that will join Esteban Ocon at Alpine, with the latter keen of fielding an all-French lineup next season with Gasly filling the team's available seat.

However, Gasly is theoretically contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2023. But Marko admits there is room for negotiation between Red Bull and Alpine.

"We have a valid contract for 2023, but in the meantime there are talks," Marko told Sky Germany after Friday's running at Zandvoort.

"If our conditions are met, we wouldn't stand in Gasly's way. It would be a dream come true for him to drive in a French factory team.

"But not all the conditions have been met yet."

Gasly's transfer would open a door at AlphaTauri, with IndyCar star Colton Herta a prime candidate for the seat, although the American would need the FIA to cut him some slack regarding an F1 superlicence for which he does not current qualify.

"We've already thought about that, but we don't want to announce that yet," said Marko.

"We have some people in the junior squad who have a superlicence. For the reserve driver, we would recruit someone from that."

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Regarding a potential deal with Herta, Marko was coy but hinted that the situation was fluid.

"He has already done a Formula 1 test, he was good," said the Austrian. "I don't want to get into details. Let's wait and see how this develops."

But a second driver that potentially sits on AlphaTauri's short list is Mick Schumacher, who is reportedly on the verge of losing his Ferrari backing, which would make him free to join the Red Bull family.

"He's not an issue for us," said Marko. "He is - or was - a Ferrari junior. That's why we've never dealt with Mick Schumacher.

"We have our own programme. Of course, we prefer our own people."

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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.