Marko open to Gasly move to Alpine

Pierre Gasly would be allowed to leave AlphaTauri if there is a good offer from Alpine. Helmut Marko said according to Michael Schmidt from Auto, Motor und Sport in Belgium.

Alpine has to find a new driver for 2023. Fernando Alonso decided not to renew his contract and when Alpine named Oscar Piastri as his replacement, it turned out that the Australian already had a deal with McLaren. Those parties are awaiting a decision from the Contract Recognition Board, but even if Alpine wins the case, there is little chance they will give Piastri another chance in its own car.

Alpine is looking for a driver

Daniel Ricciardo was named as a possible successor to Alonso, but the Australian left Renault because he had more faith in McLaren. That story did not end in success and it remains to be seen whether Alpine wants to bring back the former star driver. Mick Schumacher is also mentioned as a replacement.

Another candidate is Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman has proven to be a strong driver for years at AlphaTauri, but alongside Max Verstappen he fell just short at Red Bull Racing. As a Frenchman, he has an edge at Alpine anyway, where he could form an all-French line-up alongside Ocon. According to Schmidt, Marko has said that Red Bull will not stand in the way of a move to Alpine, provided Alpine makes a good offer.

Feud between Ocon and Gasly

Yet a possible line-up of Ocon and Gasly also seems to carry dangers. The two young drivers were still good friends in karting, but over the years the relationship deteriorated due to competitiveness. ''He didn't like it when I started to beat him," Gasly once said. The fact that the two no longer see eye to eye complicates the situation.

At Red Bull they are already thinking ahead. Marko has reportedly already inquired about Colton Herta. The American, who is active in IndyCar, does not yet have a super license. Red Bull also has five talents driving in F2, but none of them has a real claim to move up to F1 at the moment.