what's in for this season?
Scuderia AlphaTauri announces that Lee Gahyeon will be parting ways with the team
Everyone was shocked when Alpha Tauri, Red Bull Racing's sister team, announced that Lee Gahyeon will no longer be racing for the team for the upcoming season.
The Korean driver had scored fifteen podiums with Alpha Tauri during the span of the 2021 and 2022 season, most notably during the 2021 Monza Grand Prix as it was Gahyeon's maiden win as a Formula One driver.
Alpha Tauri's TP says in an interview that Gahyeon has decided to not renew her contract with the Italian team because she wanted to 'experience the world outside of Red Bull and to hone more of her skills as a driver.'
"We would like to thank Gahyeon for putting so much effort within our team. As the Team Principal, we don't want to let go of such an amazing driver, but as Gahyeon's personal friend, I believe she must widen her arsenal as a Formula One driver and we are rooting for that. And in my opinion, with the skills she acquired during her time in the Red Bull Junior Team and with us, she can go far in Formula One."
Gahyeon's team confirms this and announces that she is yet to consider which team she'll be driving for next season. So far, no official word from Gahyeon herself.
Mercedes-AMG announces Myoui Mina will not be part of their line-up this season, Ferrari's second seat empty?
Yesterday, Mercedes announced that Myoui Mina has decided to part ways with the team for the 2023 season as the Japanese driver will be racing under Alfa Romeo and has not extended her contract with the British team.
Han Meilin, Mercedes' Team Principal says in an interview: "We thank Mina for everything she has done for the team: she brought and contributed huge things since the 2017 season and we are sad to see her go, yet all of us who have been with her during her stay with the team wish her the best. However, her departure opens a lot of new opportunities for us at Mercedes to become stronger and faster than we have ever been."
Meanwhile, Ferrari has left Lee Siyeon without a second driver and has announced that they are actively looking for someone to fill in the role that will help them win the championship after finishing second in the Constructors during the 2022 season. There were no further details given.
Everyone is starting to wonder: does Mercedes and Ferrari have set their eyes on someone? Who is it and who among the two teams will get to that driver first?
"Where should I look?"
"Here please, directly at me."
"Oh, not on the camera?"
"No, no."
"Okay, okay."
She settles down on the chair, adjusting herself comfortably. The crew immediately crowds around her, fixing a strand of her hair, clipping the lapel on her team shirt, and well, whispering a few more instructions.
"I shouldn't be nervous," She says to the crew as she laughs. "I have been on Drive to Survive for two seasons now. Yet here I am, shaking."
"Just be yourself. Don't worry too much."
"Really? So I could, like, swear in front of the camera? Like say 'fuck 'em all?"
The crew laughs. "Please don't. It would be hard to edit it out." One of them answers.
She laughs as well. "Okay, okay."
The crew leaves her be. The woman on the chair clears her throat, adjusting herself to the seat one last time.
"You ready?"
"Yep."
"Okay, so let's start in three, two, one." The camera starts rolling. "Kindly state your name and the team you will be driving for?"
She smiles.
"My name is Lee Gahyeon and I will be driving for Mercedes-AMG in the upcoming 2023 season."
"How did you join Mercedes and is it true that Ferrari also approached you to join their team?"
Gahyeon purses her lips. "Well, I, uh," The driver thinks of proper ways to say it without trying to offend someone, especially Mina. "Was approached by Mr. Han after the Japanese Grand Prix. At first, I didn't want to join because I felt that I didn't deserve to be the teammate of a seven-time world champion,"
Gahyeon laughs before she continues. "But he insisted that I have what it takes to be a part of the team. And so after a few more meetings and swooning on Mr. Han's end, I agreed. And to answer your second question; yes, Ferrari did also approach me; however, I declined because I knew I wasn't fit enough for Ferrari like I initially thought with Mercedes."
"How did Alpha Tauri react to your decision?"
"They were pretty okay with it," Gahyeon answers. "Especially the boss. But of course, I'd be lying if I say they didn't try to persuade me into not joining Mercedes. But at the end of the day, they told me it was my decision whether or not I'd stay with the team or leave."
"Why didn't you extend your stay?"
"I wanted to explore what it is beyond the confinement of the team. Don't get me wrong, if it weren't for the Red Bull Junior Racing Team and Alpha Tauri for picking me up, I'd never achieve my goal to be a part of Formula One. And I owe Red Bull and Alpha Tauri that. But sometimes, a bird needs to leave its nest in order to grow and learn new things."
"Is there bad blood between you and Alpha Tauri after you announced your decision?"
"Not at all, in fact they were hella supportive of my decision to join Mercedes. They even threw a huge party just for me."
"Gahyeon, you're close friends with Kim Bora and Kim Yoohyeon of Red Bull, also with Lee Siyeon of Ferrari. How did they react to the news?"
The driver stopped for a moment. "Bora and Yoohyeon were thrilled, Siyeon is a little disappointed that I didn't choose to drive for Ferrari with her." Gahyeon laughs. "But she was also supportive of my decision."
"There are a lot of rumors going around that Han Dong, Han Meilin's daughter and Red Bull driver Kim Yoohyeon's girlfriend, is the reason behind Mercedes' approach and that with Han Dong's influence, the team might favor you more instead of having equal attention. What can you say about it?"
Gahyeon frowns before laughing. "That's the craziest shit I've ever heard in my entire life. Who said that? Some random guy on Twitter?" The driver's laughter dies down. "No, Handong has nothing to do with Mercedes' approach. If anything, it's because my skills as a driver caught their attention and not because I have friends in high places."
"Why do you think that three teams are fighting to have you on their roster?"
"Probably because of my charm, that's what I'd say." Gahyeon laughs. "But no seriously, I don't know either. I'm just glad they noticed me out of all the drivers out there."
"What are your plans for this season?"
Gahyeon ponders for a moment. The-now Mercedes driver grins. "Win every race and be on top of the world."