Alpine F1 Team reserve driver Oscar Piastri is looking increasingly likely to be racing in Formula 1 next season, but potentially not at Alpine.
Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi currently finds himself in a difficult position, of having two extremely talented drivers without a seat for 2023.
As well as Piastri, double World Champion Fernando Alonso is also in need of a drive for next year, and has his eyes set on keeping hold of the second seat at the French outfit.
Esteban Ocon is already confirmed for next season, with his contract not set to expire at the end of 2022, unlike his Spanish team-mate.
READ: Sergio Perez unhappy with FIA after system malfunction hands George Russell P3
Whilst Alonso is a 32-time Grand Prix winner, Piastri is predicted to be one of the stars of the future, and is the reigning Formula 2 World Champion.
One thing that is for certain, though, is that Rossi wants to get “both of them” a seat for next season.
“We are working on scenarios for both of them to drive,” Rossi said.
“They are scenarios that are very plausible, very sensible, that we imagine would satisfy both drivers. But I can’t say more.”
Despite Rossi being unable to “say more”, Williams Racing team principal Jost Capito has spoken about one of the scenarios.
Piastri has been heavily linked with a move to Williams for 2023, to replace the struggling Nicholas Latifi.
Latifi looks all but certain to be losing his seat at the end of the year, with Williams already looking at their options.
Their number one target appears to be Piastri, with a “loan” from Alpine possible for 2023.
Capito isn’t against the idea; however, the 63-year-old has made it clear that there are “various options” to get the Australian onboard for next year.
“I think we’ve got various options,” Capito said.
“I think if that (a loan) was the best for us, then we would consider that. If it’s not the best – if we have another, better solution – we will go for the better solution.”
Alpine aren’t completely against the idea of putting Piastri out on “loan”, with Rossi admitting that he’s “open” to the idea.
Despite this, Rossi is only willing to agree to such a deal, if the French team will “get him back” when the “loan” ends.
“I’d be open to loaning Oscar out to a team,” said Alpine’s CEO, “as long as I get him back.
“We’ve invested heavily in Oscar, we believe in him and that’s why he’s our reserve driver.
“So, like many other drivers, a loan starting in another team to learn the tricks and then coming back to us will be a good scenario.”
Whilst “scenarios” are being built for Piastri, the team are in the process of doing the same for Alonso.
The Spaniard has expressed his intent on continuing in 2023, on the back of finishing sixth-place at the French Grand Prix.
Alonso and Ocon performed strongly at the team’s home race, with the Frenchman securing a double-points finish for the team, after finishing eighth-place at the Circuit Paul Ricard.
The result saw Alpine go four-points clear of the McLaren F1 Team, in fourth-place in the Constructors’ Championship.
With Alonso performing so well as of late, Rossi is determined to get both the Spaniard and Piastri a “drive next year”.
READ: Daniel Ricciardo addresses threat of being replaced by IndyCar driver
“We are building scenarios for him,” Rossi added.
“And Oscar, as I’m sure you would ask me.
“The idea is that the two of them are worthy drivers and we would love them to drive next year,” he concluded.