Gasly to Replace Alonso at Alpine, De Vries to Join Alpha Tauri

Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 9, 2021 AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly in action during practice REUTERS/Murad Sezer
Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 9, 2021 AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly in action during practice REUTERS/Murad Sezer
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Gasly to Replace Alonso at Alpine, De Vries to Join Alpha Tauri

Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 9, 2021 AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly in action during practice REUTERS/Murad Sezer
Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 9, 2021 AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly in action during practice REUTERS/Murad Sezer

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

Dutchman Nyck de Vries, who made his Formula One 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 Formula One debut with Toro Rosso in 2017, will line up with countryman Esteban Ocon at Alpine.

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 Formula One win came at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix.

"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."

Gasly will be replaced at Alpha Tauri by de Vries, who claimed 13th place at the Italian Grand Prix standing in for Albon, who came down with appendicitis.

The 27-year-old has won world titles in Formula Two and Formula E and said he was "extremely excited" to join Alpha Tauri.

"I've had a lot of chances to experience the 2022 car this year and I think that has put me in a great position for the upcoming season," said de Vries.

"I hope this has helped to prepare me for what is to come."



Red Bull: Longtime F1 Team Principal Horner Released from Duties

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner attends a news conference at the Silverstone racetrack, ahead of the British Formula One Grand Prix, in Silverstone, England, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner attends a news conference at the Silverstone racetrack, ahead of the British Formula One Grand Prix, in Silverstone, England, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
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Red Bull: Longtime F1 Team Principal Horner Released from Duties

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner attends a news conference at the Silverstone racetrack, ahead of the British Formula One Grand Prix, in Silverstone, England, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner attends a news conference at the Silverstone racetrack, ahead of the British Formula One Grand Prix, in Silverstone, England, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Red Bull said Wednesday that Christian Horner has been released from his role as longtime team principal of its Formula 1 team.

Red Bull did not give a reason for the decision in a statement, but thanked Horner for his work and said he will “forever remain an important part of our team history.”

Laurent Mekies of sister team Racing Bulls will replace Horner in his role as team principal and chief executive of the racing team.

Horner had been Red Bull team principal since it entered F1 as a full constructor in 2005. He had performed his team and media duties as normal throughout the British Grand Prix last week.

Horner oversaw eight F1 drivers’ titles — four for Sebastian Vettel and four for Max Verstappen — and six constructors’ titles during his time with the team.

But McLaren has dominated this season in F1, while Red Bull’s performance has dipped, though Verstappen remains third in the standings and the team is fourth.

Horner spent much of last week fielding questions over Verstappen’s future at the team after the Dutch driver declined to commit to stay with Red Bull for 2026.

“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s chief executive for corporate projects and investments said in a statement.

“With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”

The announcement comes more than a year after Horner was accused of misconduct toward a team employee.

An investigation conducted on behalf of the Red Bull company dismissed the allegation, as did a further investigation conducted after the employee appealed against the initial ruling, Red Bull said at the time.

Horner remained in charge of the F1 team throughout the entire process.