Piastri confirmed at Alpine for 2023

Ewan Gale
Tuesday 2 August 2022 17:18 - Updated: 19:10

Alpine has announced Oscar Piastri will make the step up to Formula 1 in 2023.

The Australian will partner Esteban Ocon from next season onwards as the replacement for two-time champion Fernando Alonso.

Piastri has been waiting on the sidelines for an F1 promotion this year having won the F2 title last season, F3 the season before and Formula Renault Eurocup the campaign before that - the first driver to win three separate junior categories in successive seasons.

With Esteban Ocon tied down until the end of 2024 and Alonso seemingly content to stay after an impressive season thus far, it seemed Piastri would be forced to look elsewhere, even if just for a season.

He was linked with Williams and McLaren such was his worth, but Alonso's shock switch to Aston Martin opened the door for the step up for Piastri, who has been preparing for his F1 debut in a reserve driver role this season.

Team principal Otmar Szafnauer said: "Oscar is a bright and rare talent.

"We are proud to have nurtured and supported him through the difficult pathways of the junior formulae.

"Through our collaboration over the past four years, we have seen him develop and mature into a driver who is more than capable of taking the step up to Formula 1.

"As our reserve driver, he has been exposed to the team at the track, factory and testing where he has shown the maturity, promise and speed to ensure his promotion to our second seat alongside Esteban.

"Together, we believe the duo will give us the continuity we need to achieve our long-term goal of challenging for wins and championships.”