Alpine confirm Oscar Piastri for F1 2023 debut
Alpine confirm Oscar Piastri for F1 2023 debut
Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer refused to be drawn on where Oscar Piastri's F1 future lies despite confirming the Australian will be on the grid next season.
The reigning F2 champion has been left on the sidelines as Alpine's reserve driver as Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon remain contracted to the French manufacturer.
Piastri raised eyebrows on his way through the junior ranks, winning three championships in successive years before failing to find space on the F1 grid for the current campaign.
Asked what the plan for Piastri was within the team, Szafnauer explained: "We are contracted with Oscar, we have some options on him so there is no real need to hurry that.
"So we will take our time and at the right moment within the silly season, we will take a look around and make those types of decisions."
On whether he thinks Piastri will be on the F1 grid next year, Szafnauer replied: "Yes."
Pushed as to whether that was a 100 per cent guarantee, the American added: "We don't talk about the details of our contracts of our drivers and that is something that we never do.
"So as much as I would like to tell you, I don't think that I can. But when I do say yes, that is the plan."
Szafnauer won't predict future amid Williams rumours
Rumours circulating on social media suggested Piastri would need not wait too long for his F1 bow, with Williams interested in loaning Alpine's future star as a replacement for Nicholas Latifi.
When the rumours were put to him at the Canadian Grand Prix, Szafnauer conceded: "I have read the same. It is hard for me to predict the future on that so I would prefer not to.
"I don't have any more knowledge than you do."
Williams have no plans to swap drivers
Williams CEO and team principal Jost Capito insisted there were no plans to remove either Alex Albon, or as is more likely, Nicholas Latifi mid-season.
"Both have a contract for this season and that is what our plan is, to fulfil that," said Capito.
The team employed Albon, who was in a similar role to Piastri with Red Bull last season.
Asked if there was a similar deal to be done, Capito clarified: "We didn't do a deal with Red Bull on Alex, we did a deal with Alex on Alex and I think Oscar, for sure, he is ready to go into Formula 1.
"And I think he is one [that is] on the list, for sure."
Additional reporting by Ian Parkes
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton hints at sensational Newey arrival at Ferrari
- 16 minutes ago
Suspended Red Bull employee 'grilled' as Horner saga given potential END DATE
- 1 hour ago
BLOW for former F1 champion as Mercedes preferences revealed
- 2 hours ago
F1 boss HITS BACK at star driver over schedule complaints
- 3 hours ago
F1 2025 Driver Lineup: Big names on the move as half the grid reshuffles for next season
- Today 17:00
F1 champion claims Drive to Survive success was 'very lucky'
- Today 13:59
Related news
F1 boss delivers team SALE verdict with new targets set
F1 pundit slams 'EMBARRASSING' team and predicts driver exodus
F1 team announce shock RESIGNATION of two key figures
F1 team boss issues BRUTAL put down for star driver
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860