“I have no doubt Piastri is ready” : Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer contends that Oscar Piastri is all set for F1 entry


“I have no doubt Piastri is ready” : Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer contends that Oscar Piastri is all set for F1 entry

Oscar Piastri

In the next weeks, Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer must make a crucial choice about the driver lineup for the 2023 season and beyond. Fernando Alonso, a two-time Formula One World Champion, wants to extend his contract to stay in the motorsport for a further two years, while Oscar Piastri, a prospect from the academy, wants to make his F1 debut the following year.

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The team has several potential paths, one of which is to “loan” Oscar Piastri to Williams for a couple of seasons, keeping Alonso at Alpine as Piastri acclimatizes to the sport. Alpine could have already promoted Piastri directly into the main team, and given this option is relatively straightforward to execute, the French squad likely aims hit two birds with one stone.

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Will we get to see Oscar Piastri in F1 next season?

Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso

Otmar Szafnauer has kept his options open-ended. The former Aston Martin team boss has stated categorically that Piastri will make his F1 debut in 2023. The matter is which team, though.

Enstone-based racing team Alpine needs to make sure the young Australian has a chance to compete in Formula 1 next year. If this isn’t done, competing teams may try to steal the current Formula 2 Champion.

“Oscar [Piastri] already has the potential for F1. We still haven’t taken the decision on our second driver, but I have no doubt Piastri is ready,” said Szafnauer. This summer, Alpine must perform a fine balancing act without alienating either their current or their future.

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