Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko doubts Pierre Gasly will have many options better than at AlphaTauri after next season.
Though already signed for 2023, last week, the Faenza-based team officially confirmed the Frenchman would be staying for a seventh season, including his half-year in 2019.
That came after his only other option was blocked when Red Bull announced a new two-year deal with Sergio Perez back in Monaco.
“What I can tell you is to me it is logical, it is not like it was a surprise because I’m a very objective person,” said Gasly in response to the Mexican’s new deal.
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“Based on what they expect from a second driver, Perez ticks all the boxes, he is doing an amazing season, performing very well this season, fast, has some backing financially, has good experience, and is a good fit for the team.
“On the other side the impact it has on my career and with the ambitions I have is obviously affected so that’s what we’re discussing at the moment with Helmut to obviously decide what’s best for all of us, and how do we go forward from there.”
Rather than quelling speculation it has merely shifted to 2024, when Gasly has a much stronger position to decide his own future as his contract expires.
But though the one-time Grand Prix winner is considered among the most talented drivers in the midfield, Pierre doubts that will give him much power in the market.
“I don’t know if you can call that a strong position,” he told Motorsport.com, “but at the moment, for sure, beyond 2023, I consider all options, as I don’t have anything beyond that.
“For now, it’s we’ll see. These are things we need to discuss with Helmut [Marko]. Obviously they want to keep me, and they want to keep me in the program.
“But as I say, we need to see how to make this work, and just normal conversations are ongoing.”
According to Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, however, the 26-year-old may well find extending his contract to be among his best options.
“Before Perez signed his contract, of course I spoke to Gasly,” Marko confirmed to Formel1.de.
“We have to see what happens after 2023. What is the alternative for him? I don’t think at the moment there is an alternative that would be significantly better than AlphaTauri.”
One team often named as a possibility is McLaren, where Daniel Ricciardo is also out of contract after 2023. But the focus there appears to be on promoting either Pato O’Ward or Colton Herta from IndyCar.
Another destination is potentially Mercedes, where Gasly would take the seat of Lewis Hamilton.
Such talk though was quickly rejected by team boss Toto Wolff.
“Are we starting talking 2024 contracts? In June 2022?” he said. “No, we are in a happy place with Lewis.
“There is no doubt that we are embarking on the season and the next one in a good place but it’s too early to discuss 2024.
“But having said that, I couldn’t wish for a better driver pairing.”
