Williams confirm early Oscar Piastri interest

Williams

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Williams confirm early Piastri interest

Piastri was touted for the Williams drive next season

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 7 September 2022 14:54

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Williams team principal and CEO Jost Capito has revealed Oscar Piastri was under consideration for a 2023 race seat.

Piastri found himself in the midst of F1's main contractual dispute of the summer as Alpine and McLaren engaged in a tug-of-war over his services before the Contract Recognition Board ruled in the favour of the Woking-based team.

But had Alpine retained both Fernando Alonso and Piastri, it was believed the 21-year-old Australian would have been positioned at Williams to make his F1 debut in 2023 and potentially a second season in 2024.

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Asked if talks had taken place with Piastri, Capito confirmed: "We talked to a couple of drivers for 2023 so we had a couple of options.

"Oscar could have been an option but that was in the early stage of the season just to check out what type of options were available for '23."

Williams lay out Latifi criteria

The talks with other drivers have put Nicholas Latifi's F1 future in jeopardy, with the Canadian struggling to match Alex Albon's performances in the FW44.

On what Latifi must do in the remaining eight races to remain with the team, Capito explained: "He has to show his potential. We believe he has the potential.

"What he showed in Silverstone and Hungary was great there. Last week [in Belgium] wasn't that good so he has got another chance this week to prove what he is capable of."