Having won both the Formula 3 and Formula 2 Championships in consecutive years, (a feat managed by highly rated Leclerc and Russell) as well as the Formula Renault Eurocup a year previous in 2019, Oscar Piastri has left a mark on the junior series as well as the minds of many motorsport fans. The young Australian’s Eurocup victory secured his place in Alpine’s driver academy.

Piastri’s meteoric rise through the ranks led many to assume he would be snatched up for a Formula 1 race seat in 2022, however, a reserve role at Alpine is the next best thing, keeping the Australian up to date with the team and in the front of their minds. Piastri, thinking positively, views this role and the testing time set aside by the team as a statement of intent. 

“Alpine are putting together such an extensive test programme for this year and I think that speaks volumes about their belief in me,” said Piastri to F1.com.

“The testing programme I’ll be doing, especially nowadays where in-season testing is banned with the current cars, I think it’s very rare to see that – so I think it speaks volumes about what Alpine think I can do. I’m looking forward to it. While there is no confirmation of whether it will lead to a step up, it’s definitely a very positive sign that they are very keen to have me.”

While it was disappointing for Piastri to miss out on a race seat, there was unfortunately no room at Alpine who have nailed down two time champion Fernando Alonso as well as quick Frenchman Esteban Ocon. While Piastri admits he would ideally have liked to graduate from F2 directly into a Formula 1 race seat, the Australian is grateful and excited to have landed the reserve driver role.

“Graduating from the academy is the goal for both parties involved – myself and Alpine,” he said. “I would have loved to have been straight into a race seat out of F2, but the way things have panned out, that hasn’t been possible. I’m super happy we could make the reserve driver role happen. Even this year, while I won’t be in a race seat, there is still a lot I can learn, experience the pretty hectic schedule of a F1 season and help out behind the scenes and fully focus on F1 – as that’s where I want to get to in the future.”

Piastri will commit fully to his role with the team as he will not race elsewhere for the 2022 season, he notes he intends to continue spending plenty of time at Enstone with the team, where he says he feels at hom.

“I live just 20 mins away from Enstone – and I’ll be staying there this year,” stated the Australian. “I go to Enstone already four or five days anyway through the academy when I’m not racing – so I feel like I’m already pretty embedded.

“I will be moving away from the academy side of things this year to the main team, so there will be a few new faces as F1 teams are big but looking forward to it and I think we’ll just increase that relationship we already have through the academy.”