Alonso not really willing to give up his place to Piastri in 2023

This weekend, at Alpine, there is only enough for Oscar piastri. The reigning champion of the Formula 2 has in fact been highlighted since the beginning of the week by the communications teams ofAlpine. It must be said that between his birthday celebrated on Wednesday and the fact that he is the local of the stage (he was born in Melbourne), this spotlighting of a young man confined to the role of the shadow in 2022 rings as a very good initiative. 

It was also a question ofOscar piastri until the press conference this Friday morning in Melbourne. Invited to speak about their young reservist sidekick, the two holders of the A arrowed brand were full of praise for the one who consecutively won the Formula Renault Eurocup (2019), the Formula 3 (2020) and Formula 2 (2021). “Oscar is very talented, greeted Fernando Alonso. He has won every major title in the promotional format, which shows his abilities. He works hard in the simulator, in the factory and during our meetings. He's still very young, but let's hope he can get a seat in F1 quickly ".

 Piastri praised

Words immediately corroborated by Esteban Ocon. “Oscar is a great guy, noted the Norman. I was invited to his birthday this week, it was fun. He is really very committed to the team, and he will have a very extensive testing program. He will surely be the most prepared reserve pilot in history with whatAlpine concocted it for him! I am sure he will quickly have the opportunity to get a seat in F1. Because in the paddock there is always an opportunity for those who deserve it, and Oscar is one of them. He won all the major junior titles.”

Everyone is an Oscar fan. Even if they say they're not, they are Oscar fans. Even if you go to the Ferrari guys, if they said that “oh yeah, Ferrari is the greatest brand in the world,” 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙊𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙨. #AusGP pic.twitter.com/0DUGoAAZGz

—BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) April 8, 2022

Despite their good words, Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso are obviously the main cause this year on the sidelines for Oscar Piastri. Academy driver since 2020, the Australian was unable to obtain a seat this year, since the two holders were still under contract in 2022. Obviously, due to his age (40 years) and the imminence of his end of contract at Alpine (at the end of the year), the Spaniard's seat is perhaps a little more at risk. 

Alonso sees himself in F1 for two or three more years

Asked at a press conference about any possible pressure he would feel regarding the possible tenure of Oscar Piastri in the team in 2023, the Asturian Bull made it clear that the time to hand over had not yet come . “I think if I was 25, no one would ask me that question, he retorted. This is all just relative to age. For me, it's all about performance. Last year, I think I did a good job. I actually finished just in front of Esteban” he said with a big smile, turning to his French teammate who was also present at the press conference. 

And Alonso continued: “We will see this year how all this develops but it is a question of performance and not of age. I still feel competitive, fast, and I still have so much fun. I can see myself staying two or three more years. If it is with Alpine, that would be great, and if it's with another team, that could be good too. But I’m going to start discussions this summer, we’ll see what happens.” Something tells us that Oscar Piastri will be watching this very closely. 

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