BWT Alpine F1 Team and French driver Pierre Gasly have agreed on a contract extension into the 2025 season and beyond, both parties confirmed on Thursday ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
The announcement made by the BWT Alpine F1 Team sees Pierre Gasly committing his long-term future in Formula One to the French automaker, which he joined last season after agreeing on a multi-year deal.
Following the official confirmation, the driver outlined: “I feel very much at home with this great team. I enjoy being a real part of both the Formula 1 project and the wider Alpine Cars vision.”
Further speaking about their journey together, he asserted: “I’ve been officially here for over 18 months, and it has always been the plan to build a long-term project with the team.
“While on track, it’s been a challenging season so far, I remain faithful to the project. I am not going anywhere.”
“I am happy with the changes made, the hard work, and the direction the team is taking. There is a lot of potential in this team’s personnel and resources. I’m excited for what is to come in the future, and right now, I’m focusing on the everyday details we are putting in to improve our performances.”
The season did not start as well as the squad expected, scoring their first point in the sixth round of a 24-race calendar, the Miami GP staged last May.
In addition, a series of structural changes within its core, beginning in 2023, raised some uncertainty about the team’s future.
Last week, Alpine F1 announced Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo appointed former Team Principal Flavio Briatore as his Executive Advisor for the Formula One Division.
Meanwhile, early in June, Gasly teammate Esteban Ocon and the team mutually decided to follow different paths, ending their collaboration at the end of the 2024 F1 season.
The Rouen-born best result with Alpine came last year, finishing third in the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
“The extension of Pierre’s contract with the team is very pleasing,” said Bruno Famin, BWT Alpine F1 Team Principal.
“He is a driver with huge experience in Formula 1 and continues to show huge amounts of potential on track.”
“For Alpine as a brand, he is a great ambassador, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration.
“While this is important for our future, we do have to keep our eyes close to what is coming and that is focusing on improving our current package. We have high ambitions this current season and we will work tirelessly to achieve those things.”
According to Famin, the Enstone-based squad will take its time to decide who will be Gasly new teammate, remarking: “We are excited with the options we have on the table.”
In 2020, Gasly captured his best career result at the pinnacle of motorsport with Scuderia AlphaTauri (once known as Toro Rosso), claiming an epic win at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
Nonetheless, after six years with the team, now rebranded VISA RB F1 Team, it was time for a change, switching headquarters from Faenza to Enstone at the end of the 2023 season.
Last weekend in Barcelona, Gasly and Ocon finished within the points zone of the Spanish GP, crossing the finish line ninth and tenth, respectively.
