Williams makes no secret of the fact that Oscar Piastri might be at the top of the list to replace Nicholas Latifi next year.
Williams makes no secret of the fact that Oscar Piastri may be at the top of the list to replace Nicholas Latifi next year.
The Canadian is no longer hiding that his spot is in serious doubt for 2023, with team boss Jost Capito admitting that the team is watching "which contracts run out." "We have to do the best for the team for next year, when there are several options," he added.
The most obvious of those options is 21-year-old Australian Piastri - the reigning Formula 2 champion who is under contract with Renault-owned Alpine. Capito admits that there is contact with Alpine.
"George Russell was in a similar situation to Oscar now, when he needed a seat as a Mercedes driver, and they were looking for a team for him to gain experience and then go to Mercedes," the German told ntv. "I think Alpine wants to do the same with Piastri now."
Capito admits that a "loan" of Piastri to Williams is "certainly a possibility, no doubt." "But we also have to look at the future, because if you really want to get to the top, you need to have your own drivers," he commented
When asked about the possibility of Alpine loaning Piastri to Williams, Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer stated, "I think it's better to ask Jost. But it's great to have one of our young drivers being sought after by other Formula One teams."