After a relatively quiet first few months, the driver market has been in turmoil in recent weeks following Sebastian Vettel’s announcement ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix that he would hang up his helmet and retire from the category at the end of the season. season.
Aston Martin was quick to act and a few days later announced the signing of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who would replace the four-time champion, leaving Alpine in a difficult situation.
The French announced on their social networks that Oscar Piastri would occupy the Spaniard’s seat for the 2023 season, but the young driver denied it on his social networks and said that he would not race alongside Alpine next year.
The Australian’s response is interesting because, according to previous rumours, Williams would have been interested in Piastri on loan for 2023 to replace Nicholas Latifi . Alpine ‘s idea was very clear, to extend Alonso ‘s contract for another year and give Piastri back to return to the team just one year later.
However, that is unlikely to happen, as there are growing suspicions that the reserve driver from the Enstone structure could have signed for McLaren, where he would replace Daniel Ricciardo, who has already run out of credit at Woking. .
In an answer to a question from Motorsport.com, Williams team principal Jost Capito was calm about his future line-up: “We still have time and different options.”
“We’ll see how Latifi performs with the improved car. It took him longer than we expected to adapt to the new rules and gain confidence with the car. Perhaps the key point came in the Silverstone weekend.”
“Last year he did very well alongside George Russell, if he can get that performance back then there is no reason to talk about replacing him. That being said, there are alternatives, we also have a very good driver in our academy who could make the step.” Capito said in reference to Logan Sargeant .
“He’s taking steps forward at a very positive pace and I think I’ve always characterized myself by giving opportunities to young talents, I don’t like to leave them on the bench for too long,” Capito said.
Nicholas Latifi received criticism after the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as his accident triggered a chain of events that in part gave Max Verstappen his first title, to the detriment of a Lewis Hamilton who until then dominated.
