More than half of the Formula 1 grid are ending their contracts this year. Undoubtedly a cause ‘earthquake’ rumors and more or less unexpected announcements for next season. in the Alps, with its location Stephen Ocon Insured until 2024, doubts are swirling around Fernando Alonso. And in the French team’s room is the Australian team, the ‘pearl’ of the quarry. Oscar Piastri, The 21-year-old who, after winning two titles in the previous F3 and F2 categories, stayed on a cooldown as Alpine’s reserve driver.
“It’s curious that F2 champion in 2021 I have to watch the F1 races in 2022 from the couch,” Piastri joked at the end of last season, recently crowned. Now his speech is more direct. He made it clear to Alpine: He wants to drive next year. If they renew Alonso they will look for another team.
“We are learning”
Meanwhile, Fernando also kicked off the ‘hook’ at the Australian Grand Prix. He warned that he hopes to lead “two or three more seasons” in Formula 1 in a nuance that no one missed: “It better be with Alpine, better with another team… Piastri? very young. And I hope you find a seat soon. We will find out soon and we will start negotiations in the summer,” said the Asturian. 40 years.
Oscar Piastri finished frustrated At the home race in Melbourne, where she didn’t even get a chance to qualify for Free Training 1. Alpine CEOLaurent Rossi, He wanted to apologize but was unable to lift the spirits of the Australian driver. “It’s one thing and another to be the usual driver and break the car pressuring a rookie, with his talent. These cars are brand new. still quite fragile for all teams. Drivers are still learning and we are still learning, so all training sessions are important,” Rossi said.
One year reservation only
“Also the track is new and we don’t have a lot of spare parts. If you suddenly go and break the chassis for any reason, haas, your spare chassis is finished. was there too many parameters against and so unfortunately we had to decide to put it off for later. “Oscar will have his chance on a track where he’s done thousands of laps and free practice 1 isn’t that important,” he added. Barcelona Track For the premiere of her young star behind the wheel of the A522.
“I don’t want to be a backup driver for another year. I actually didn’t want to be a backup driver even this year… I agree to be a backup for this year only. “My plan is to get back in racing as soon as possible and I want that to happen next year,” Piastri told Sky Sport.
No transfer option
Alpine did not have the opportunity to transfer to another team, as Ferrari did. Antonio Giovinazzi and Alfa Romeo oa Mick Schumacher and Haas. About Mercedesn George Russell at Williams. The problem is that the French team don’t have satellite teams on the grid, so if they suffer a loss from Covid like Daniel’s, they have to sign a commitment with McLaren to comfort Norris or Ricciardo.
Piastri will do at least two free practice 1 this season due to the imposition of regulations. Alpine’s new sporting director, Otmar Szafnauer He announced in July that they would review his situation, but that they wanted to take him to F1 and they were working on it.