Pierre Gasly officially joins Alpine in 2023 as Nyck de Vries takes his AlphaTauri seat

French driver Pierre Gasly will leave Alpha Tauri to replace two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso at Alpine next season, the team announced Saturday.

Dutchman Nyck de Vries, who made his F1 debut standing in for Williams' Alex Albon at last month's Italian Grand Prix, will replace Gasly at Alpha Tauri.

Gasly, who has been with the Red Bull stable since making his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2017, will line up with countryman Esteban Ocon at Alpine.

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BREAKING: Pierre Gasly has signed with @AlpineF1Team on a multi-year contract from 2023 onwards.#F1 pic.twitter.com/1ztddsvspD

Alpine's development

Gasly, 26, said it was "emotionally very special" to join the French team, who are locked in a close contest for fourth place with McLaren in this season's constructors' championship.

"What motivated me was the development of Alpine over the past three years, their performance constantly improving," said Gasly, whose only F1 win came at the 2020 Italian GP.

"They won their first race last year and this season they have been fighting to be the fourth force. They have a complete package and similar ambitions to mine."

Ocon won last season's Hungarian Grand Prix to give Alpine their first race victory.

Alonso, 41, will leave the team to join Aston Martin on a multi-year contract, taking the seat vacated by the imminent retirement of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Gasly said he was "happy and impatient" to get started with Alpine.

"As a driver, the most important thing is to be in a car that allows you to show your talent to the fullest," he said. "I think with Alpine, I will have the best chance of being able to perform."

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