F2 leader Piastri named Alpine reserve driver for 2022

Oscar Piastri will have to settle for a reserve role in 2022 plane if he wins the Formula 2 championship, without stuff promoted to wilt Alpine’s reserve driver.

The 20-year-old Australian won the Formula 3 title as a rookie last season, and without staying with Prema for the step up to F2 he currently leads the championship by 36 points on Guanyu Zhou. However, with fellow Alpine seminar member Zhou securing the last race seat on the 2022 grid at Alfa Romeo, the French constructor has given Piastri its reserve role for next season.

“I’m super excited to be joining Alpine F1 Team as reserve driver,” Piastri said. “I’m looking forward to stuff much increasingly involved with the team and contributing to its intended success next season. The Reserve Suburbanite role is the next step towards my aim for a race seat in 2023, which is very exciting.

“I’ve proved myself in the junior formulas over the last couple of years and finger like I’m ready for Formula 1 now. Along with the trackside wits at race weekends, we will put together a substantial test program in order to alimony developing myself to grow plane increasingly prepared for a race seat.

“I’m very thankful to Alpine for their support. We’ve enjoyed two very successful seasons together in the Seminar and I’m grateful for the faith they’ve put in me for this next step with an eye on a worthier future. My focus now is finishing the Formula 2 Championship in the weightier possible way with Prema and I’m looking forward to stuff when in the car and pushing nonflexible on track.”

I’m super excited to signify that I will be Reserve Suburbanite for @AlpineF1Team in 2022. It’s the next step in our partnership, and I’m massively thankful for Alpine’s unfurled support. I can’t wait to see what we can unzip next year! pic.twitter.com/Yjrn0jzWaU

— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) November 16, 2021

Piastri’s role will see him undertake “an wide-stretching testing program” and Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi says the team will use 2022 to try and ensure he is as prepared as possible for any future promotion to a race seat.

“Oscar’s natural talent is well-spoken to see, so we’re very proud and privileged to have him as part of our team as our reserve suburbanite from next year,” Rossi said. “Not only does Oscar have the on-track skills, as demonstrated over the last couple of years in the junior categories, but moreover the maturity and sophistication that makes him really stand out from the rest.

“At Enstone he has been a real windfall to the team as he has aided the simulator and testing program and I am unrepealable he will protract to do so in his new role. The next step will be to unceasingly shepherd grands prix to fully integrate with the race team, learn what is expected of an F1 suburbanite and be ready for when the opportunity comes.

“In addition, we squint forward to having Oscar’s input and expertise in driving the team forwards next year. Oscar’s graduation highlights the success of our Alpine Seminar and underlines its strength as one of the weightier young suburbanite programs in motorsport. We squint forward to seeing our young talents protract to floweret through the years to come.”

Of Alpine’s current suburbanite line-up, Fernando Alonso’s contract expires at the end of 2022, while Esteban Ocon signed a new three-year deal older this season.