Pierre Gasly's 2022 campaign with AlphaTauri was defined by the team's pronounced difficulties in extracting performance from the AT03 under the new technical regulations, marking a significant departure from his prior seasons of consistent midfield contention.
Going in
Gasly entered the 2022 season as AlphaTauri's established team leader, having delivered strong performances in 2020 and 2021, including a memorable victory at Monza and multiple podium finishes. The introduction of the new tunnel-floor ground-effect regulations, coupled with 18-inch wheels and simplified aero, represented a significant technical reset for Formula 1. This regulatory shift offered a theoretical opportunity for teams to re-establish their competitive order, and there was an expectation that AlphaTauri, building on its competitive AT02 from 2021, could potentially capitalize. Gasly was anticipated to continue his role as a consistent point-scorer and an occasional challenger for positions higher up the grid, particularly in a season where the field was expected to be shuffled.
How it played out
The AlphaTauri AT03 proved to be a challenging car throughout the 2022 season. Unlike the dominant Red Bull RB18, the AT03 struggled to consistently unlock performance under the new regulations, often battling with issues such as porpoising and a general lack of aerodynamic efficiency. This inherent performance deficit significantly curtailed Gasly's ability to regularly compete within the top ten. While he frequently demonstrated his capacity to extract the maximum from the machinery available, the car's limitations meant that points finishes were sporadic rather than routine. Gasly concluded the Drivers' Championship in 14th position with 23 points. His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, scored 12 points, illustrating Gasly's continued edge in raw pace and race management within the team, even when the car was not performing optimally. AlphaTauri finished 9th in the Constructors' Championship, a notable decline from their 6th place in 2021. The season often saw Gasly battling cars that possessed a fundamental pace advantage, a scenario that drew parallels to drivers like George Russell — 2019 season during his early years in less competitive machinery.
Defining moments
One of Gasly's standout performances came at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he secured a P5 finish. This result was a clear demonstration of his ability to seize opportunities and maximize the car's potential when track conditions and race dynamics aligned, providing an early season highlight. The British Grand Prix proved to be a frustrating affair, culminating in early race contact and a subsequent retirement, underscoring the challenges faced by the team that weekend. Later in the season, the Japanese Grand Prix was marked by a controversial incident involving a recovery vehicle on track under red flag conditions, which led to Gasly receiving a penalty for speeding. Mid-season, the announcement of his move to Alpine for 2023 confirmed his departure from the Red Bull family after a nine-year association, adding a unique dynamic to the remainder of his AlphaTauri tenure.
What it meant
The 2022 season marked a significant turning point in Pierre Gasly's career, concluding his long-standing association with the Red Bull junior program and AlphaTauri (formerly Toro Rosso). It was a season of transition, both for the sport with its new technical regulations and for Gasly personally as he prepared for a new chapter. While the AT03's performance limitations prevented a repeat of his standout results from 2020 or 2021, his consistent effort and ability to outscore his teammate in a challenging environment underscored his continued value as a Formula 1 driver. His confirmed move to Alpine for 2023 represented a strategic career shift, seeking a fresh challenge and a potential step up in competitiveness, akin to other drivers who transitioned to new teams for improved prospects, such as Oscar Piastri — 2024 season joining McLaren. The experience of navigating a difficult season with a struggling car further honed his resilience and racecraft, traits also developed by drivers like George Russell — 2020 season during his formative years with Williams.
