F1 prospect Oscar Piastri to earn practice run with Alpine ahead of likely 2023 grid place

Rumours have suggested the Australian will be racing this season but he may have to bide his time until next year

Alan Baldwin
Saturday 02 July 2022 15:10 BST
Comments
(Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Australia’s hot Formula One prospect Oscar Piastri will get a Friday practice slot with Renault-owned Alpine after the August break, team boss Otmar Szafnauer said on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Melbourne native is a rising star in the sport after winning at the first attempt the 2021 Formula Two championship, the 2020 Formula Three title and 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup.

He is not racing this season but is employed as Alpine’s reserve driver, ready to slot in should the team need a replacement for Frenchman Esteban Ocon or double world champion Fernando Alonso.

While Alonso is out of contract at the end of the year, the 40-year-old Spaniard wants to stay.

Alpine have said they expect Piastri, who has been linked to Williams and also offered to McLaren as a potential reserve, to be racing in Formula One in 2023.

Asked whether Piastri might get an outing at this month’s French Grand Prix, Szafnauer said that was not the plan.

“Oscar will be running in free practice for us but it will be after the break,” he said.

Regarding a potential opening at Williams, should Alpine not have a vacancy next year, the American added: “It’s great to have one of our young drivers be wanted by other Formula One teams.

“It just shows that he’s got good potential which we’re aware of.”

The rumour mill has suggested Piastri could replace Canadian Nicholas Latifi at Williams this season but that team’s principal Jost Capito repeated that there were no plans for such a scenario.

“It’s not the plan to replace either of the two drivers during the season,” he said.

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in