Formula 1 Transfer: Gasly signs for Alpine, De Vries joins Alpha Tauri

The Frenchman will replace two-time world champion Fernando Alonso.

The Formula 1 season is approaching its end as Alpine and Alpha Tauri have finally decided on their second driver for 2023. Pierre Gasly has been on an upward trajectory ever since getting axed by Red Bull. He consistently outperformed the Alpha Tauri machinery and put it up into some really respectable places, including podiums at Baku and Interlagos and a win at Monza. Deemed too good for the team, he seemed stuck in the Red Bull system where neither Helmut Marko would promote him, nor would let him leave. Keeping everything in mind, this is the most predictable yet one of the best moves for the next season.

An all-French squad to feature in F1 after 29 years

Alpine was left in despair after both Oscar Piastri and Fernando Alonso left the system within hours. After it struck, the team contacted around 14 drivers to sort out their second seat for the next season. The list included the likes of Daniel Ricciardo, Mick Schumacher, Nico Hulkenberg, Nyck De Vries as well as Pierre Gasly. But it's the Frenchman who was the favourite since the beginning and got the final nod.

"I'm very happy that Pierre will be joining the team for 2023 and beyond. He is already a proven talent within Formula 1, and we are looking forward to harnessing that within the team. Our team has several objectives for the coming seasons and I firmly believe our driver lineup is a great reflection of our high ambitions. I trust Pierre and Esteban, together, to motivate the team to continue its progress towards these goals," Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer said in a release. He also thanked Red Bull for agreeing to the terms. His new teammate Esteban Ocon has been a mainstay at Alpine. With Gasly joining the team, Formula 1 will have an all-French squad again after 1994. That too happened with the Renault engine.

Nyck De Vries finally gets an F1 seat

Mercedes reserve Nyck De Vries won the Formula 2 title in 2019 and the Formula E title in 2021. He didn't get a permanent seat yet but he participated in three FP1 sessions this season so far. One each with Mercedes, Williams and Aston Martin. He recently made his Formula 1 debut at Monza when he filled in for Alex Albon.

He had a memorable weekend and secured a P9 finish with Williams. He quickly became a hot property in the driver market after that performance. Williams, Alpha Tauri and Alpine vied for his signature. But Alpha Tauri gets away with him. Actually, he wasn't their first choice for Gasly's replacement. They sought Indycar driver Colton Herta but that didn't happen because of FIA's Super License points rule.