Why Red Bull freedom and an Alpine switch can define Gasly's F1 career

Pierre Gasly will forever be known as the winner of the 2020 Italian Grand Prix. It was that against-the-odds victory which made him the front-cover star of his home nation’s revered L’Equipe magazine. It’s the epithet used every time he is welcomed on stage or introduced in writing. Ultimately, it’s how he will be remembered. But not necessarily how his Formula 1 career shall be judged. That, instead, will more likely be derived from his tenure at Alpine.

A switch comes despite Gasly being signed to AlphaTauri for 2023. However, then the most hectic driver market silly season of recent times whirred into life. Sebastian Vettel dropped his retirement bombshell that took Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin and meant Daniel Ricciardo was paid off so McLaren could lock in Oscar Piastri - once the Contract Recognition Board determined Alpine’s paperwork insufficient. And with its protégé gone, Alpine had a vacancy alongside Esteban Ocon.