Who to replace Fernando Alonso at Alpine ?

It is no longer a secret, Fernando Alonso will run well at Aston Martin from 2023 and this as part of a multi-year contract. The announcement came this Monday morning the day after the Hungarian Grand Prix and had the effect of a bombshell. On the networks, astonishment was the watchword. Nobody really expected such news especially since the Spaniard had recently confirmed that he was open to an extension with Alpine he who made the Dieppe firm his “priority” for the rest of his career. Ultimately, everything changed in the space of just a few days in part due to the announcement of the retirement of Sebastian Vettel at the end of the season.

In history, the team that loses the most is Alpine and Aston Martin the one that earns the most. The Blues let go for free a driver who, at the age of 41, demonstrates that he has a very high level of driving and often does better than his young teammate Esteban Ocon. Fernando Alonso promised a green future at the Gaydon manufacturer, Alpine must now find Ocon's new companion. But who could support the Norman from next season?

Oscar Piastri, finally his moment?

Will the 2023 season mark the debut ofOscar piastri en F1 ? ©DPPI/A. Vincent

When Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement we mentioned it as an avenue to succeed the German at Aston Martin. A few days later, it's on the side ofAlpine that his name stands out the most, and rightly so.

Member of the academy in 2020 and 2021 when he rode in F3 then in F2 (champion of both categories), the Australian has been the reserve driver ofAlpine. Presented as the next generation, Oscar Piastri is wisely waiting for his moment to enter the great F1 circus. At first glance, the Melbourne native is the most credible and logical lead for Laurent Red and his gang.

Oscar Piastri blocked by Fernando Alonso and until then by his desire for an extension, Alpine had started arguing here and there to try to place him in another stable. His name had even been mentioned in Williams within the framework of an agreement between the two parties. With the confirmed departure of the Spaniard, it is difficult to imagine the structure of Viruses-Châtillon will do without the Australian's talent for a second consecutive year. Asked to wait for at least a year, Piastri never flinched, always respecting the choices of his leaders while waiting for his moment. A moment that seems to have finally arrived, or not…

According to our information, Oscar Piastri, who is of great interest McLaren, would however have already pre-committed with another team in the paddock which would put Alpine in a bad position for the discussions to come.

Colton Herta, the American temptation

Colton Herta to open up to the Americans? ©IndyCar

And if it is on the other side of the Atlantic thatAlpine found the successor to Fernando Alonso? The idea may seem crazy, but it's ultimately not as crazy as you might imagine. A few weeks ago, Colton Herta had his first experience in F1 with two days of testing with McLaren at the wheel of the MCL35M in Portimão (Portugal). Moreover, the one who defends the colors of Andretti in IndyCar has never hidden his desire to take the plunge. “ It's a serious ambition, he admitted in the F1 Nation podcast. I want to be in F1 at some point in my career »

Andretti precisely. The structure led by Michael, son of Mario Andretti, wants to land in F1 in 2024. To best prepare for its arrival, it could establish one of its drivers in advance so that he can get his bearings while waiting for the launch of the F1 team in a few years.

In addition, the Andretti clan seems to have gotten closer toAlpine (via Renault) recently for his possible arrival in Formula 1. In February, Mario Andretti confided to David Land that a “ formal agreement » had been found for Renault to be the engine supplier for its team. Besides F1, the 1978 world champion had mentioned the possibility of collaborating with Alpine in IMSA, North American Endurance Championship. And if Colton Herta was ultimately the element that launched the collaboration between Andretti and Alpine ?

Guanyu Zhou, back home?

Guanyu-Zhou should not return to the Enstone side. ©DPPI/A. Vincent

Guanyu Zhou could be one of the avenues to take up the torch on the side ofAlpine. Former member of the academy and now promoted to Alfa Romeo alongside Valtteri Bottas, the Chinese offers a completely different type of opportunity to the Blues, that of opening up to the Chinese market to market their cars there as they seek to develop internationally.

However, the probability is low since Alfa Romeo is keen on Guanyu Zhou. According to our information, the Chinese left to extend within the structure led by Frédéric Vasseur as well as the relations between the pilot and Alpine would not have ended well.

ALSO READ > Alonso and Alpine, two years of thwarted hopes