The future of Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri at Alpine in 2023 is close to being settled. Otmar Szafnauer admitted, however, that the team still has "a good puzzle" on its hands
The future of Oscar Piastri and Fernando Alonso at Alpine is very close to being settled, and from recent statements by Otmar Szafnauer, it seems that the reigning F2 champion is definitely in the plans of the Enstone-based outfit. The French boss praised the current duo and said he sees Piastri as a "rising talent."
Speculation about a possible move by Piastri to Alpine to be Esteban Ocon's teammate for the 2023 Formula 1 season gained momentum especially after Renault CEO Luca de Meo admitted that the decision "will not be 100% agreeable to everyone." He further acknowledged that the transition between Alonso and Piastri, even if it doesn't happen for next year, is a matter of time.
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"It's a good conundrum for sure," Szafnauer said about Piastri vs. Alonso. "We have two very talented drivers in the car now. Oscar is a rising talent, and we'll soon start thinking about what to do for next year," he added.
Piastri is a test driver for Alpine and is also a member of the French team's Driver's Academy. Szafnauer had already signaled that Alpine would start deciding the driver duo for 2023 from the tenth round of the calendar, which takes place in England.
There are also rumors indicating a chance that the Australian will be loaned to Williams, but the Enstone-based boss said he had only heard about it, without confirming the veracity. However, he admitted that it would be a good option to give the youngster mileage in F1.
Alonso, on the other hand, is very reluctant to consider leaving Alpine at the end of his contract, as he feels fully fit to continue in F1. The two-time champion, who has been showing strong pace in the 2022 season, still sees himself in a position to compete for at least "two or three" more seasons.