Otmar Szafnauer, the representative of the Alpine F1 team, has once again spoken to Oscar Piastri, who has moved to McLaren F1.
In 2022, the Alpine F1 Team started the season with Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon as regular drivers and F2 champion Oscar Piastri as reserve driver, but a dilemma arose before the summer break.
While wanting to offer Fernando Alonso a new contract, the team realized they needed to find a place on the F1 grid for Oscar Piastri. Alonso was offered a one-year deal, while Piastri could be loaned to Williams F1.
But that plan fell through and neither driver was impressed with the deal, with Fernando Alonso signing with Aston Martin for 2023 and Oscar Piastri with McLaren. Alpine F1 Team lost two of his drivers in less than a month.
Oscar Piastri’s manager and former Red Bull F1 driver, Mark Webber, had previously suggested that Alpine’s investment was far less than it should have been, but people are skeptical that the 21-year-old Piastri will fund his junior career. I feel that I have shown a lack of loyalty to my team.
Oscar Piastri failed in his quest to obtain compensation from Piastri as he had a binding contract with McLaren F1 to replace Daniel Ricciardo. He was forced to find another driver.
Otmar Szafnauer then bid another farewell to Oscar Piastri after successfully signing Pierre Gasly from AlphaTauri.
“I think species that cooperate will survive,” Otmar Szafnauer told GPFans.
“But the selfish species perishes. This is historically true. It may also apply to F1. Let’s see what the future holds.”
“Oscar had to either get in our car next year or find his seat or loan seat elsewhere or be a free agent.”
Otmar Szafnauer has confirmed that the Alpine F1 team had chosen Williams F1 as their destination for the 2023 Oscar Piastri season.
“The original plan was for him to move to Williams,” Szafnauer added.
“If that had happened, he could have been in FP1 with Williams this year.”
WilliamsF1 has named development driver Logan Sargent as Alexander Albon’s teammate for 2023.
Category: F1 / Alpine / Oscar Piastri