Oscar Piastri
Australian youngster Oscar Piastri is under the only remaining seat in Formula 1 starter 2022.
Speedcafe.com has learned that the Melburnian, who currently leads the FIA Formula 2 Championship, is one of the drivers Alfa Romeo is considering.
In addition to the newly signed Valtteri Bottas, who will take the place of the resigned Kimi Räikkönen from Mercedes, a large number of names have been associated with the remaining seat.
Antonio Giovinazzi currently holds the seat, with players like Callum Ilott, Guanyu Zhou and Theo Pourchaire being touted as possible teammates.
Pourchaire is a member of the Sauber Academy program, but at the age of 18 is not yet ready for the step into F1.
Speaking in Monza on Friday, Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur admitted that a list of half a dozen drivers is being considered.
“I don’t want to give your name because if I forget someone it’ll be a drama,” said the Frenchman.
He added that while he had conversations with some drivers, he did not speak to everyone currently in question.
Piastri is something of a dark horse for propulsion, with attention mostly focused on his Alpine Academy colleague.
“Zhou is doing a good job in F2 and he’s definitely on the list,” Vasseur admitted.
“It’s not just because he’s Chinese, it’s also because he’s a front runner in F2, has won a few races and I think every single team in F1 takes care of him.”
The Alfa Romeo Sauber boss added that he was in no hurry to make a decision as the Formula 2 campaign won’t end until December and has only run four laps so far.
“We have always said that we also want to see the junior series, that they are racing two races in a row with Monza and Sochi and that we will probably discuss it with my shareholders until the end of September,” said Vasseur.
When asked about the prospect of securing the drive next season, Piastri said his chances were “very slim”.
“Of course there is still a place available [and] There are a hell of a lot of people trying to get it, ”he said.
“I’m with Alpine and there is no engine connection there, so it’s not the most conventional route.
“I’m honest, the chances are very slim, but I don’t want to give up my hope yet.
“To be honest, it’s been a tough week watching all these seats fill up,” he added.
“But that’s still left, and now Alfa has all the time in the world to decide who to use.”
Should Piastri get the nod, he would become the second Australian on the F1 grid, alongside compatriot Daniel Ricciardo.
The last time two Australians competed in a Formula 1 race was at the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix, when Mark Webber drove for Red Bull and Ricciardo at Toro Rosso.
Piastri, now run by Webber, will start the Formula 2 feature race from pole position on Sunday, his second of the season.
Meanwhile, Giovinazzi reached qualifying 3 for the second race in a row for Alfa Romeo Sauber and will start the sprint qualifying on Saturday from 10th place.
The post Piastri linked to Alfa Romeo F1 racing seat first appeared on monter-une-startup.
