Formula 1: 3 possible AlphaTauri drivers for 2021
By Asher Fair
Red Bull sister team AlphaTauri still have a seat open for the 2021 Formula 1 season alongside Pierre Gasly. Who will end up competing for the team next year?
Pierre Gasly, who was demoted from Red Bull back to AlphaTauri (then Toro Rosso) after just 12 of the 21 races on the 2019 Formula 1 schedule had been completed as a result of his lackluster performances, shocked the world this past September when he took the checkered flag at Autodromo Nazionale Monza to win the Italian Grand Prix.
His win marked the first win for a team other than Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari since the 2013 season opener, when Lotus won the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit with Kimi Raikkonen.
Gasly had been rumored to end up back at Red Bull next year following that performance, but he ended up signing an extension with AlphaTauri. Who will be his teammate next year? Here are three possibilities.
Possible 2021 AlphaTauri drivers: #1 – Daniil Kvyat
There is still a chance that nothing will change in AlphaTauri’s driver lineup next year, despite rumors that they will be looking to move on from Daniil Kvyat, and many believe that Kvyat did as much as he possibly could to save his job with his recent fourth place finish in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
When Alexander Albon was promoted to Red Bull as Gasly’s replacement last season, Kvyat was actually well ahead of him in the driver standings, and he has had another respectable year in 2020. Why demote/release him for what would be the third time in four years?
However, Red Bull may look to get away from the sister team simply being full of ex-Red Bull driver year after year and bring in a new face who could potentially shine at the top team one day, a scenario which does appear likely at the moment.