The Alpine team has a luxury issue when it comes to 2023. In addition to Esteban Ocon, the man with a permanent contract, the French stable has the choice between Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastre, the great talent from Australia. Otmar Szafnauer notes that he is in no hurry to make a decision.
Piastre has impressed in the Formula 1 classes over the past seasons. The Australian fought himself from Formula Renault Eurocup through Formula 3 to Formula 2 and did so by winning the championship in all those seasons. However, his brilliant performance was not rewarded with a place in the first class. Simply because Alpine did not yet have a seat available for his student.
Biastri vs. Alonso
As a result, Piastre is out of action for a year. After all, he is not allowed to drive another year in that category as a Formula 2 champion. From now on, Piastri will have to wait to see if he will get a chance next year for a seat on the top podium. His goal would be to do so with his Alpine team, but that would require a goodbye for Alonso. However, it does not appear that the Spaniard intends to voluntarily say goodbye to Formula 1 after this season.
It wasn’t well thought out yet
So it seems the choice lies with Szafnauer and his staff. Really thinking about it, but he hasn’t done it yet. “Honestly, we haven’t thought about that much yet. It’s also relatively early. Maybe we’ll talk about it around the British Grand Prix at Silverstone,” he said. Motorsport.com†
another option
Given the current situation, it does not appear that Alpine wants to bid farewell to two-time world champion Alonso. Chances may be in Williams, which puts Nicholas Latifi under pressure. “I haven’t thought about it that deeply yet. I don’t know what’s going on in Williams either, although of course I’ve heard the rumours. When McLaren came to us and asked if they could use the Piastre as a reserve driver, we said ‘yes’ and the reason is we want to give it a go. As much time as possible in the car, but anyway, I don’t know exactly what’s going on at Williams,” says Szafnauer. So that continues.
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