Alpine has announced that their highly rated reserve driver Oscar Piastri has been promoted to a racing seat next year as a replacement for Fernando Alonso, who is tied to Aston Martin.
Sebastian Vettel announced on Thursday that he would be retiring from Formula One at the end of the season, setting off a chain reaction with his team Aston Martin announcing the signing of Alonso as the German’s replacement for next year.
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The surprise move left a seat vacant at Alpine, and on Tuesday afternoon they announced it would be filled by 21-year-old Australian Piastri, who is currently the team’s reserve driver and reigning Formula Two champion after winning the title has its rookie season.
A statement from the team announcing the news said: “As part of his formative F1 journey, Oscar was first promoted to Reserve Driver for the BWT Alpine F1 Team at the start of the 2022 season and has since undergone under the Guidance of the team and its full financial support, an intensive and comprehensive training program with private testing in the winning A521, the 2021 Alpine F1 car, race support and simulator sessions to prepare it for the next big step into F1.
“Alpine is now looking forward to seeing the next stage in his F1 career alongside Esteban Ocon.”
Team boss Otmar Szafnauer said: “Oscar is a bright and rare talent. We are proud to have promoted and supported him on the difficult path of the junior formulas.
“Through our working relationship over the last four years we have seen him develop and mature into a driver more than capable of making the step up into Formula 1.
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“As our reserve rider, he has been exposed to the team on the track, in the factory and in testing where he has shown the maturity, promise and speed to ensure his climb to our second place alongside Esteban.
“Together we believe the duo will give us the continuity we need to achieve our long-term goal of fighting for wins and championships.”