Schumacher, Gasly, … Which driver for Alpine in 2023?

The long-awaited decision of CRB in the McLaren imbroglio/Alpine fell. After analysis of the contracts of both parties binding them to Oscar piastri, the FIA ​​Contract Recognition Board ruled in favor of the English team. The body responsible for certifying the validity of contracts signed between drivers and teams considered that the Australian was free to sign a lease with the racing firm. Woking to become one of its drivers starting next season.

Therefore, Alpine finds himself without Oscar Piastri, although announced on August 2, and without Fernando Alonso already assured of happy days, or not, at Aston Martin where he will take over Sebastian Vettel, future retiree. While almost all the teams have completed their line-up for the following campaign, the Blues can only count on Esteban Ocon For now. Within the A arrow, various avenues are currently being studied, but which one could actually come to fruition?

Schumacher, Ocon's favorite

Mick Schumacher will it bounce back at Alpine ? ©DPPI/A. Vincent

At the end of his contract with Ferrari, which does not wish to extend it, Mick Schumacher seems promised a future far from the Team and especially Haas one of whose seats was systematically reserved for an Italian pilot, in this case his own. The German is therefore working hard to extend his adventure by F1, and without the support of Ferrari the tracks fit on the fingers of one hand, and still.

If he is not the team's priority today, Alpine put Mick Schumacher's name in his papers for the 2023 season. Disappointing in 2021 even if he did not have competitive equipment, the son of the Red Baron gained confidence. Taking advantage of a more efficient car, the German scored his first points, was involved in some great battles and was able to gain the upper hand over his experienced teammate. Kevin Magnussen, a few times. Esteban Ocon even makes his counterpart his favorite to support him next year. It remains to be seen whether Laurent Red and his gang will try the Schumacher bet, more risky on the sporting level but attractive on the economic level of the brand.

Gasly, the one who holds the rope?

Pierre Gasly in Alpine for a 100% French duo? ©DPPI/F. Gooden

Was it Alpine line up a 100% French duo in 2023 with the arrival of Pierre Gasly? This is the rumor that has been driving the paddock since the restart in Belgium last weekend. The idea is great and the Blues would make Norman their priority for next season. However, the case should be more difficult to pursue than that of Mick Schumacher.

Currently pilot Alpha Tauri, Pierre Gasly has already been confirmed for 2023, the year marking the end of his contract with Red Bull of which he has been a member since the 2024 season, while Mick Schumacher will be free next December. Questioned at a press conference this Thursday, the Norman refuted the idea of ​​changing sides while he is under contract with the Faenza team. “I don’t want to comment on anything,” he warned in the Dutch paddock. I am with AlphaTauri and I give my best for them. They gave me my first seat and my first victory in F1, I have a contract with them and everyone knows it. Nothing has changed. In June I was announced at McLaren, in July at AlphaTauri and now at Alpine. Many things have been said but one thing is certain: I have a contract with AlphaTauri. » To be continued…

Ricciardo still in the running?

Esteban Ocon and Daniel Ricciardo reunited again in 2023? ©DPPI/F. Gooden

Will Daniel Ricciardo go the opposite way to Oscar Piastri? Last August, we announced to you that the Australian was in pole position to succeed to Fernando Alonso. Since then, the track has taken a turn for the worse and the Perth native seems to have moved away from a return to enstone two years after his departure.

A departure that had not gone down very well internally. While he embodied the new project of Renault who had finally attracted a big name, Daniel Ricciardo had slammed the door even before the start of his 2^e season with the Losange in 2020 announcing that he would join McLaren in 2021. Within the various departments of the French team, this departure was taken as a betrayal as the hopes placed in the Australian were high.

It will also be necessary to analyze the state of mind of Daniel Ricciardo who remains over two unconvincing seasons at McLaren despite his victory at Monza in September 2021. Does he still have the same anger as 5 years ago when he was a driver capable of fighting for the top places? Does he still have the motivation and desire to continue in F1 after a difficult stint between Enstone and Woking? So many questions that the leaders of the Blues will have to ask themselves before making an offer to the person concerned but above all to avoid another major failure.

Doohan to promote the academy?

Jack Doohan represents the academy Alpine en F2. © Sebastiaan Rozendaal / Dutch Photo Agency / DPPI

Alpine will it end up drawing internally? After the failure of Oscar Piastri, a member of the academy since his Formula Renault title in 2019, the solution could finally come from F2 with Jack Doohan, also part of the nursery of A arrow.

For the moment, the Australian is starting from very far away. Certainly he is having a great first year with already 3 victories on the clock and two pole positions but in the plans of the leaders he is far from being the priority at the moment. But wouldn't that be the best response to the departure of Oscar Piastri, whose blue academy accompanied him from F3, and his titles, up to his role as a reserve in F1 this year? (Very) Probably but the direction ofAlpine cannot afford to take such a risk with a driver who has never been titled in promotional formulas and whose development is not yet complete to consider him as a real contender for a seat in F1.

Note that Theo Pourchaire (currently in 2^e year of F2 with ART Grand Prix) is also on the list of drivers considered in the same way as Mick Schumacher and Pierre Gasly even if he is not at the same level as them in the eyes ofAlpine. In addition, his performances over the whole year do not speak in his favor, the Habs having never been able, or very rarely, to compete with the probable champion Felipe Drugovich.

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