Gasly quickly became the number one target for Alpine after Fernando Alonso announced his departure for Aston Martin and it became clear that Oscar Piastri would join McLaren.
Negotiations were complex as Red Bull had to confirm a replacement for Gasly at AlphaTauri, and because the drinks company put a high price on the French driver, who had one year left on his contract.
Gasly believes Alpine is the perfect destination for him as the team has gained momentum.
“The opportunity came up this summer and we started discussing it,” he said.
“It’s obviously a big change. I’ve been with Red Bull for nine years, pretty much my whole career with them.
“It really feels like closing a chapter and starting a new journey. But I have to say it felt natural and very quickly like the right decision.
“Just based on where I’m at in my career, based on the ambition for Alpine, and based on their progress over the last few years. They’re getting better and better every season, they have this strategy to fight out front during the next 100 grand prix, and they’re headed in the right direction.
“It’s also a good time to take off and seize this opportunity with a builder. I really believe in this project and I’m very excited about it.”
Pierre Gasly, Alpha Tauri AT03
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
Gasly said it was essential that Alpine made it clear from the start that he was their number one choice. That Enstone’s team had to work so hard to get Red Bull to release him was also telling.
“The strength of their will to get me out of Red Bull and into that car was definitely one of the most important criteria, let’s say, for me. It made it clear to me that I had to go.”
“They made it very clear straight away that they had to work very hard in terms of the negotiations, that it was not an easy deal to get between all the parties involved.
“They pushed so hard to get me, it was like they really believed in this project.”
