He’s one of the hottest young talents in motorsport worldwide, but time is running out for Australian Oscar Piastri to secure his future in F1.
The chances that the Australian Oscar Piastri will drive in Formula 1 next year seem ever smaller, although the young man is doing everything possible to get his case through.
The 20-year-old currently leads the Formula 2 classification with 178 points, 36 ahead of Guanyu Zhou with 142 points.
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He is on track for his third championship title in as many years, having won the Formula Renault Eurocup title with R-ace GP in 2019 and the Formula 3 title in 2020 after being taken over from the Renault Academy (now Alpine) became.
Normally, the Formula 2 winner would be almost guaranteed a place on the Formula 1 grid for the following year, but that is not the case with Piastri.
Antonio Giovinazzi from Alfa Romeo is the only F1 driver who is not yet guaranteed a starting place for the next year.
Piastri’s name has been mentioned as one of the main contenders to possibly take over the Italian’s seat if not signed again.
However, it is Zhou, who is runner-up behind Piastri in Formula 2, who is preferred to take over the Alfa Romeo seat from Giovinazzi.
Zhou reportedly has $ 48 million (AUD) in support to secure a seat in the major leagues in 2022, which would make him China’s first F1 driver.
Based on performance and driving ability alone, it can be argued that Piastri deserves to fill the vacant Alfa Romeo set.
His F1 credentials were recently confirmed by his Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Ferrari superstar Charles Leclerc, who said Piastri’s form “is impressive and he definitely has the merit of being in F1”.
“I really hope for him – he should be in F1,” said Leclerc.
“Well, I really hope he will be very soon.”
Alfa Romeo has yet to name the driver who will partner with Valtteri Bottas next season after the Finn’s departure was confirmed by Mercedes last month.
At the Turkish Grand Prix last weekend, team principal Fred Vasseur said Alfa Romeo is in no hurry to make a decision on its second driver for 2022 but plans to announce it soon.
“We are in no rush to make a decision, but we have a few options on the table and we need to take our time to make a decision,” said Vasseur.
“The situation will not change in the next few days and we will make a decision soon.”
For his part, Piastri appears to have resigned itself to missing out on an F1 seat for the next season and believes the most likely scenario is to become Alpine F1 reserve driver to replace veteran Fernando Alonso in 2023.
“My chances of being in Formula 1 next year are extremely slim, I basically don’t think any,” he said in an interview with JAM Sports Management published on his own website.
“I know that Zhou is very closely associated with this seat and Giovinazzi is also there right now.
“I don’t think I’ll be in this seat, I think it’s the only opportunity for next year. I would be happily surprised to sit in this seat next year.
“I think the most realistic goal and goal is to be the Alpine Reserve for next year.
“Because at the end of the day I’m still very close to them and really appreciate their support, and I think that’s reciprocated.
“I think the most logical step is to try to become reserve drivers for next year and see what kind of program we can develop for next year and hopefully do some tests and FP1 sessions.
“And then try to get an F1 seat for the following year in 2023.”
However, Pisatri’s manager Mark Webber, an Australian who himself enjoyed a successful F1 career, does not rule out all hopes that Piastri will be chosen for the Alfa Romeo seat.
“Let’s see it’s going to be an interesting couple of months, nothing’s fully resolved yet, there are still a few gimmicks that need to be sorted out and that could work in his favor,” Webber told the F1 Nation podcast.
“The Alfa seat is moving around, we’re now seeing Andretti (Autosport team) floating around in terms of maybe investment – so wow,” said Webber.
“It’s an interesting last place in terms of dynamics, but does he (Piastri) deserve to be in F1?
Absolutely. We all know that.
“The question is not if, but when.
“Alpine is very, very interested in him, Alpine doesn’t want him to slip through their fingers, they try to get involved again and get involved for the future.
“It’s not done yet, but they’re trying very, very hard to make Oscar happy for the future, and that’s something we’re going through right now.”
Webber believes Piastri has what it takes to make an immediate impact in Formula 1.
“Formula 1 is not a high school diploma, you have to arrive there as the best possible product and then immediately start contributing to the team’s performance,” he said.
“And that’s something I think Oscar absolutely will.”
The post F1 news 2021: “Shenanigans” keep Australian Oscar Piastri’s F1 dream alive, Alfa Romeo, F1 driver line-up for 2022 first appeared on monter-une-startup.
