French team boss Otmar Szafnauer confirmed the search for a F1 seat for the "brilliant young talent" - albeit on loan to another team
As far as Alpine is concerned, Oscar Piastri will be a Formula 1 driver next season. In a press conference held this Saturday (18), in the middle of the category's actions in Canada, the French team boss Otmar Szafnauer confirmed the search for a spot for the "brilliant young talent" - even if on loan to another team.
Piastri won the Formula 2 championship last year in his debut season, having already won Formula 3 in 2020. Alpine's test driver, the 21-year-old Australian is waiting for his chance - in the French team, Esteban Ocon has a contract until 2024, and Fernando Alonso, even though he is only bound to the end of 202, has already declared he wants to continue racing in F1.
"We have a contract with Oscar (Piastri). We have some options regarding him, so there is really no rush. We will take our time and at the right time within the silly season we will take a look and make that kind of decision," Szafnauer revealed.
"We don't talk about the details of our contracts with the drivers, and that's something we never do. So as much as I want to talk, I don't think I can. What I can say is that yes, that is the plan (Piastri to be in F1 in 2023)," he added.
At Alpine, in addition to his position as a reserve and test driver, Piastri also plays a role in the team's simulator. In the assessment of the French team boss, the young driver is doing very well, thank you.
"Oscar is a brilliant young talent, as we all know. He is testing last year's car. More than at Silverstone, he has done other tests and will do more in the future. He is doing very well," concluded Szafnauer.