Gasly completes Alpine line-up for 2023, gets multi-year deal

As expected, Alpine has confirmed Pierre Gasly's transfer from AlphaTauri to the Enstone squad for 2023, the Frenchman replacing Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso.

Gasly will join Esteban Ocon at the Enstone outfit on a multi-year deal to form the first full-time all-French line-up since Alain Prost and René Arnoux raced together at Renault in 1982.

Gasly moves on to his new team after six years in F1 with the Red Bull family, having started his Grand Prix career with Toro Rosso in 2017.

"Driving for a team that has French roots is something very special," said the 26-year-old.

"I know the strengths of Alpine having raced against them over the past couple of years and, clearly, their progress and ambition is very impressive.

"I wish to thank Red Bull as this marks the end of our 9-year journey together.

"It is thanks to their trust and support that I became a Formula 1 driver, and what we’ve achieved with Scuderia AlphaTauri over the last years has been very special.

"Looking ahead, I want to give the maximum and utilise all my experience to fight for podiums and ultimately contribute to Alpine’s fight for championships in the future."

• Read also: De Vries handed full-time drive with AlphaTauri for 2023

Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo, who was personally involved in the team's negotiations to recruit Gasly underscored Alpine's pride in fielding an all-French line-up.

"We are proud to present an all-French driver line up from 2023," said De Meo. "Our roots are in France, and Alpine was born in Normandy, so this is a serendipity of sorts.

"Both will drive the team and the group forward and, I hope, we can become a symbol of pride for France."

Alpine F1 team boss Otmar Szafnauer says Gasly's arrival is another demonstration of the team's ambition to join the fight at the front of the field in F1.

"He is already a proven talent within F1, and we are looking forward to harnessing that within the team," said Szafnauer.

"Our team has several objectives for the coming seasons and I firmly believe our driver line-up is a great reflection of the team’s high ambitions.

"I trust Pierre and Esteban can, together, motivate the team to continue its progress towards these goals. We would also like to thank Red Bull for agreeing the terms to allow Pierre to take this step."

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi added: "He is a talented and motivated driver who will contribute positively to our objectives in F1.

"Pierre is completely aligned with the ambition and progression that has, to date, been a hallmark of the Alpine project.

"As a young, but highly experienced and successful driver, his trajectory is on course with our own, and we look forward to growing together."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter