‘Shenanigans’ keep Aussie Oscar Piastri’s F1 dream alive

He’s one of the hottest young talents in world motorsport but time is running out for Australian Oscar Piastri to lock in his F1 future.

SOCHI, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Winner of the feature race at Round 5:Monza, Oscar Piastri of Australia and Prema Racing poses for a photo during previews ahead of Round 6:Sochi of the Formula 2 Championship at Sochi Autodrom on September 23, 2021 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Joe Portlock - Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images)

The chances of Australian Oscar Piastri driving in Formula One next year appear increasingly slim, despite the young gun doing everything he can to press his case.

The 20-year-old is currently leading the Formula 2 standings on 178 points, 36 ahead of Guanyu Zhou on 142.

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He is on track for his third championship win in as many years, after he won the Formula Renault Eurocup title with R-ace GP in 2019 and the Formula 3 title in 2020 after he was snapped up by the Renault (now Alpine) academy.

Usually the Formula 2 winner would be all but guaranteed a spot on the following year’s F1 grid, but that is not the case for Piastri.

Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi is the only F1 driver who is not yet guaranteed a seat on the grid for next year.

Piastri’s name has been mentioned as one of the main contenders to possibly take over the Italian’s seat if he is not re-signed.

However it is Zhou, who is second behind Piastri in Formula 2, who is favoured to take Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo seat.

Zhou reportedly has $48 million (AUD) in backing to help him secure a seat in the big leagues in 2022, which would see him become China’s first F1 driver.

Oscar Piastri is set to miss out on a F1 seat in 2022. (Photo by Joe Portlock - Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images)

On merit and driving ability alone, it can be argued Piastri deserves to fill the vacant Alfa Romeo set.

His F1 credentials were recently endorsed by fellow Aussie Daniel Ricciardo and Ferrari superstar Charles Leclerc, who said Piastri’s form “is impressive and he definitely has the merit to be in F1.”

“I really hope for him – he should be in F1,” Leclerc said.

“So, I really hope he will be very soon.”

Alfa Romeo is yet to name the driver who will partner Valtteri Bottas next season, after the Finn’s departure from Mercedes was confirmed last month.

Speaking at last weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix, team boss Fred Vasseur said Alfa Romeo was in no rush to make a decision on its second driver for 2022 but planned on making an announcement soon.

“We are not in a rush to take a decision but we have a couple of options on the table and we have to take time to decide,” Vasseur said.

“The situation won’t change over the next couple of days and we will make a decision soon.”

For his part, Piastri seems resigned to missing out on an F1 seat for next season and believes the most likely scenario is being elevated to Alpine’s F1 reserve driver with a view to replacing veteran Fernando Alonso in 2023.

The Aussie has been in sensational form in the F2. (Photo by Joe Portlock - Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images)

“My chances of being in F1 next year are extremely low, I think basically none,” he said in an interview with JAM Sports Management, posted on his own website.

“I know Zhou has been very heavily linked to that seat and also Giovinazzi is there at the moment.

“I don’t think I’m going to be in that seat at all, I think it is the only opportunity for next year. I’d be happily surprised if it was me in that seat for next year.

“I think the most realistic target and goal is to be Alpine’s reserve for next year.

“Because at the end of the day I am still very heavily linked with them and very appreciative of their support, and I think that is reciprocated.

“So I think the most logical step is to try to become reserve driver for next year and see what kind of program we can come up with for next year, and hopefully do some testing and FP1 sessions.

“And then try to get into an F1 seat for the following year for 2023.”

However, Pisatri’s manager Mark Webber, an Australian who enjoyed a successful F1 career himself, isn’t ruling out all hope Piastri is picked for the Alfa Romeo seat.

“Let’s see, it’s going to be an interesting few months, nothing is totally sorted yet, there’s still a little bit of shenanigans to be sorted out, and that could fall in his favour,” Webber told the F1 Nation podcast.

Piastri has what it takes to make it in F1. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

“The Alfa seat is moving round, we see now Andretti (Autosport team) floating around in terms of maybe investment – so, wow,” Webber said.

“It’s an interesting last seat in terms of dynamic, but does he (Piastri) deserve to be in F1

Absolutely. We all know that.

“It’s not a question of if but when.

“Alpine are very, very keen on him, Alpine do not want him to slip through their fingers to say the least, they’re sort of looking to try to re-engage and commit to the future.

“It’s not done yet but they’re trying very, very hard to keep Oscar happy for the future, and that’s something that we’re going through as we speak.”

Webber believes Piastri has what it takes to make an immediate impact in F1.

“F1’s not a finishing school, you have to arrive there as the best product you can possibly be and then start contributing straight away to the team’s performance,” he said.

“And that’s something which I believe Oscar will absolutely do.”