Gasly believes it was the "right time" to leave Red Bull F1 camp for Alpine

Gasly quickly became the number one target for Alpine after Fernando Alonso announced his departure for Aston Martin and it became clear that Oscar Piastri would be joining McLaren.

Negotiations were complex because Red Bull had to confirm a replacement for Gasly at AlphaTauri, and because the drinks company put a hefty price tag on the French driver, who had one year left on his contract.

Gasly believes Alpine is the ideal destination for him, as the team has been building up some momentum.

"The opportunity came up in the summer and we started to have conversations about it," he said.

"It's obviously a big move. I've been with Red Bull for nine years, pretty much my entire career with them.

"It definitely feels like closing a chapter and starting on a new journey. But I must say, it felt natural and very quickly like the right decision.

"Just based on where I am in my career, based on Alpine's ambition, and based on their progress over the last few years. They're getting better and better every season, they have this strategy to be fighting at the front over the next 100 grands prix, and they are just going in the right direction.

"It's also the right time to take off on my own and grab this opportunity with a manufacturer. I definitely believe in this project, and I'm very excited about it."

Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri AT03

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Gasly said it was key that Alpine made it clear from an early stage that he was their number one choice. That the Enstone outfit had to work so hard to get Red Bull to release him was also telling.

"How strong their will was to get me out of Red Bull and get me in that car was definitely one of the most important, let's say, criteria for me. That made it very clear to me that I should go there. 

"They made it very clear straight away they had to work very hard in terms of negotiations; that it was not an easy deal to make between all parties involved.

"They pushed so hard to get me, it felt like they really believe in this project."