Laurent Rossi has confirmed once again that Alpine’s intention is to keep Fernando Alonso in the team and transfer Oscar Piastri to another formation on the Formula 1 grid to gain experience.
In Formula 1 things are not safe until they happen, but the truth is that things have to go very badly for Fernando Alonso do not continue at least one more season in Alpine.
Despite what some media insist on telling, the relationship between the Spanish rider and the French brand is not tense or criticalso both parties are fully willing to continue together in Formula 1.
The extension of the contract… and Piastri
Of course, that the intention of Fernando Alonso and that of Alpine is the same does not mean that it will be easy to materialize, since two aspects come into play that must be resolved.
The first is the duration of the contract. Fernando Alonso wants to renew for two seasons and Alpine is not sure that extending the agreement for more than a year is ideal with a driver who, although he continues to be as competitive and motivated as ever, turns 41 this month of July.
Also at stake is the situation Oscar Piastri, the young Australian pearl in whom Alpine places its future in the medium and long term. In the Anglo-French team they know that Esteban Ocon is a competent driver, but not a leader or a star. And Fernando Alonso has an expiration date.
Oscar Piastri’s contract with Alpine ends this year and the Australian has already warned that if he does not have a seat in Formula 1 in 2023, he will leave. The brand run by Laurent Rossi wants to avoid that at all costsso he is working on finding a team that is willing to receive Piastri on loan for one or two seasons.
Williams is the first option, but as long as the pieces of the puzzle do not fit, no official announcement will be made.
Laurent Rossi speaks clearly
He has spoken of all this CEO of Alpine CarsLaurent Rossi, who has confirmed the intentions of his brand in relation to both drivers.
“Well, Fernando, his contract ends this year, so obviously we are negotiating with him.. We are making and building scenarios for him and for Óscar, which I am sure they will ask me about. We would love for both of them to be in F1 next year,” says the French engineer.
Asked if he sees Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri in Formula 1 in 2023 as regular drivers, Rossi is optimistic. “I think so. The agreements that are being explored are very plausible, very sensible and we imagine that they will satisfy both pilots. He would be open to loaning Oscar out to a team as long as he gets him back.”
“We have invested a lot in Oscar, we believe in him, that’s why he is our reserve driver. He is a very promising talent, we would love to have him in the team. A loan, like that of many other pilots who start in a team to learn the tricks, and then come back to us, it would be a good scenario». Rossi concludes.
It is to be hoped that in August or September the situation will be finally resolved.
Font: autosport
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Photos: Alpine F1 Team