Alfa Romeo Boss Potentially Kills 2022 F1 Hopes for Oscar Piastri With Recent Revelation

Formula One is a very exclusive sport, only a handful of drivers find themselves on the grid. However, there are teams that offer young drivers an opportunity by investing their time and resources in them. So it is understandable when Alfa Romeo’s boss, Frederic Vasseur doesn’t think Alpine will let go of Oscar Piastri.

The Vasseur-led team is yet to confirm their second driver for the upcoming season. The driver in question is Antonio Giovinazzi, who hasn’t signed an extension yet. With exceptional talent in F2  in the form of Piastri, Vasseur isn’t confident that Alpine will let go of the 20-year-old driver.

Vasseur isn’t optimistic about Alpine letting go of Oscar Piastri

The Swiss-based team have confirmed that Valtteri Bottas will join them next year, which turns the attention onto the second seat. Giovinazzi hasn’t signed a deal, which raises the question of who could fill in for him next year? Australia’s Piastri seems like a potential suitor, but the Alfa Romeo boss isn’t confident that he will leave Alpine.

Being asked by The Race, Vasseur replied, “Honestly, I didn’t discuss with Alpine about this but if you invest in a driver for all the junior series and to have a long-term programme with him, I don’t see the point to let him go to another team in F1. It would be strange.”

“When you are taking a young driver with a new car and so you are starting a new journey for the F1 and for the team, I think it would make much more sense to have the possibility to extend the contract, not a multi-year contract but at least to be sure that you won’t lose the driver after year one and it’s what I wanted to explain before,” the French boss explained.

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Can Giovinazzi convince his team for an extension?

The Italian racing driver is well aware that he is running out of time. The 2021 season just has seven more races left, and with no contract being signed for next year, Giovinazzi aims to bring stellar results.

For now, the next agenda on Giovinazzi’s mind is the Turkish Grand Prix. The Italian driver hopes he can show his true pace in the qualifying session, and seize some much-needed points in Sunday’s race.

What are your predictions for Antonio’s future in F1? Will he stay on the grid for next year? Let us know in the comments below.

Read More: Vasseur Offers a Huge Lifeline to Ferrari-Affiliated Driver’s 2022 F1 Hopes