At the moment, Alpine is choosing and evaluating its different options for its line-up for next year, as two-time world champion Fernando Alonso ends his contract, while current Formula 2 champion and reserve driver, Oscar Piastri, aims to give the jump to F1.
In recent months, Piastri has been continuously linked with a possible transfer to Williams for 2023, replacing Nicholas Latifi, but Alpine has not yet made any official announcement about the future of the young Australian driver, which has caused some speculation in the paddock about the French team’s line-up.
On Saturday at the Paul Ricard circuit, Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi explained that they are currently working on the future of both drivers, with the aim of both finding a seat for next season.
“Well, with Fernando, his contract ends this year, so obviously we are talking to him,” Rossi said.
“We are building different scenarios for him and for Óscar. The idea is that they are both drivers who should be on the grid, and we would love for them to be behind the wheel of an F1 car next year.
Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Oscar Piastri, Alpine drivers
Referring to a question about whether he thinks both will be on the grid in 2023, Rossi said: “I think so. But he declined to elaborate on where he might place each.
Alpine ‘s CEO added that his confidence in being able to see Alonso and Piastri on the grid next year was due to the fact that the agreements that were being negotiated were “very plausible, very sensible and that we imagine will be satisfactory for both drivers”.
However, he made it clear that they would not consider releasing the Australian driver, and that any deal for him to race in Formula 1 with another team would be on loan only.
“We are open to loaning Oscar to another team, as long as he comes back,” he said.
“We have invested a lot in him, we believe in him, and that is why he is our reserve driver. He is a very promising talent, we would love to see that talent deliver results in our team.”
“A transfer like many other drivers who start in a [lesser] team to learn and adapt so that they can come back to us, this would be a good move,” concluded the Alpine rider.
Williams principal Jost Capito acknowledged the team had “several options” on the table for its line-up next season, saying he would be open to taking on a driver on loan if it benefits his team in any way. .
“I think that if [the transfer] is the best option for us, then we will consider it, but if we have another more beneficial solution, then we would go for this one,” Capito said.
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