Column: FastestPitStop talks Pierre Gasly, driver rumours & '23 calendar

We’re joined by FastestPitStop for their latest column feature. Look out for it regularly and be sure to check out @FastestPitStop on Twitter and Discord!

Well, after what some would call Dutch Domination by Verstappen in Spa, we now head to his home country! Today I’ll be talking about Pierre Gasly mainly and I’ll reveal more details about the proposed 2023 calendar.

So, Pierre Gasly. There’s been a lot of speculation about the Frenchman, but so far this is what I know. Alpine offered him a deal, which I’m hearing is for 2/3 years and is very close to being confirmed. Alpine rate Gasly highly and he is their preferred option for the seat alongside fellow Frenchman Esteban Ocon.

Further driver news as Formula 2 driver and current championship leader Felipe Drugovich is in excessive talks with Aston Martin about a reserve driver deal and he is believed to be supported by a Brazilian bank, Aston Martin are however not the only team interested. I’ve heard rumours that Williams would also like to contract him as a reserve. Also Daniel Ricciardo’s team are still actively looking for a full time race seat in F1, but have even held talks with Mercedes for a possible reserve role as they want to switch around their reserve drivers for the 2023 season. Another fun sidenote is that Jacques Villeneuve, who is now an F1 commentator, is to test a 2021 Alpine next week at Monza, to give him an insight into how the modern cars are. He has already been in the simulator multiple times ahead of this opportunity.

Now onto the 2023 calendar, The word in and around the paddock is that Belgium will take the July 23 slot, fitting in the week before Hungary on July 30. It’s likely that at the beginning of July a double-header in Austria and