REPORT: Williams to consider swapping Nicholas Latifi with 2021 F2 Champion Oscar Piastri


REPORT: Williams to consider swapping Nicholas Latifi with 2021 F2 Champion Oscar Piastri

On Sunday Spanish Formula 1 journalist Albert Fabrega broke the news that a certain team was considering swapping their current driver mid-season. Fabrega did not reveal which driver or which team was involved. But all possible options led to Williams who are struggling to secure points and currently has a single point claimed by Alex Albon in Australian GP after finishing 10th.

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But the rumour became stronger after Sky Sports F1 Pundit Ted Kravitz dropped reports that “Williams [are] interested in the services of Oscar Piastri for next year”. He shared the updates on his post-race ‘Notebook’ show, indicating that Williams might be considering a move for the 21-year-old Aussie acquiring Piastri from parent-team Alpine in 2023.

This made many believe that 2021 F2 champion and current Alpine Reserve driver Oscar Piastri could be replacing William’s Nicholas Latifi in a driver swap and finally gaining an F1 seat.

Also Read: “He’s going to have a seat shortly,” Esteban Ocon expresses confidence…

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Why Willams could replace Nicholas Latifi with Oscar Piastri

Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri

Williams is struggling this season and is last in the Constructors Championship with a single point. Although Alex Albon has shown glimpses of satisfaction with the underperforming, his teammate Nicholas Latifi hasn’t enjoyed his time so far. Life has at best-finished 16th and has been out-qualified by his teammate so far.

Oscar Piastri graduated to F2 after winning the 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship. In 2021, he won the Driver’s Formula 2 Championship with Prema Racing. He became the third driver to win the championship in their rookie season after Charles Leclerc and George Russell. He is a part of Alpine’s academy since 2020 and the reserve driver for the Alpine F1 Team.

Alpine were unable to give Piastri a seat in F1 following his win in F2, but have considered loaning him in case there is an opening in the F1 grid. The team agreed to allow Piastri to test for McLaren, where he acts as a reserve driver after Daniel Ricciardo tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the Pre-season Test in Bahrain. This means if Williams could offer Piastri a seat by swapping with the Canadian. And could even call upon his services as a full-time driver from the next season.

Also Read: “We’re working hard with him,” Otmar Szafnauer admits to the pressure…

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