Szafnauer happy with Piastri: "Oscar is a bright and rare talent”

Otmar Szafnauer is delighted with Oscar Piastri as a replacement for Fernando Alonso. The departure of a driver like Alonso is difficult to absorb, but at Alpine they have every confidence in the qualities of the young Australian.

Piastri to Alpine

"Oscar is a bright and rare talent. We are proud to have nurtured and supported him through the difficult pathways of the junior formulae," Szafnauer said in a press release from his employer. "Through our collaboration over the past four years, we have seen him develop and mature into a driver who is more than capable of taking the step up to Formula 1."

Piastri's talent is demonstrated by the fact that he won both the Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships in his debut year. Despite this, there was no place for him at Alpine in 2021, as Alonso and Esteban Ocon had already been contracted. Alpine's sudden departure has left a seat vacant and it makes sense for Piastri to fill it.

"As our Reserve Driver he has been exposed to the team at the track, factory and testing where he has shown the maturity, promise and speed to ensure his promotion to our second seat alongside Esteban. Together, we believe the duo will give us the continuity we need to achieve our long-term goal of challenging for wins and championships," concludes team principal Szafnauer.

Whether it makes sense for Piastri himself to join Alpine in 2023 is not so certain. It is possible that the 21-year-old talent has been contracted by the current number four in the World Championship without his full support.