Alpine CEO, Laurent Rossi is confident that both Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri will be on the F1 grid next season, while hinting at a future LMDh move for the Spaniard.

Having won the 2021 F2 championship, Australian Piastri, who won both the FIA F3 and Renault Eurocup titles in the preceding seasons, was, on paper, a shoo-in for a seat in F1 this year.

However, with no vacancies the youngster was forced to take on the role of test and reserve driver.

Though there had been talk of him joining Williams, replacing Nicholas Latifi, this has been dismissed, with Alpine unable to even say when the youngster might make his FP1 debut.

Initially it was intended that Piastri, who is reserve driver for McLaren also, might contest opening practice in France, but instead it is likely he will make his debut after the summer break.

While Esteban Ocon has a contract for 2023 and 2024, Alonso is on the form of his life, and it is unlikely that Alpine will be willing to drop him.

Despite the conundrum, Rossi is confident both Piastri and Alonso will be racing in F1 next year.

Initially, asked if both drivers will be on the grid in 2022, Rossi replied: "I think so." Asked to give further insight, he quickly added: "I don't think so!"

However, pushed on precisely why he is so confident that both will be on the grid, Rossi admitted: "We are working on scenarios for both of them to drive and scenarios that are very plausible, very sensible, and that we imagine would satisfy both drivers. That's why. I can't say more."

Asked if he would be open to loaning out Piastri, Rossi replied: Yeah, I'd be open to loan Oscar out to a team 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," he added. "He's a very promising talent.

"We would love to fulfil this talent in the team. So a loan, like many other drivers, starting in another team, to learn the tricks and then coming back to us will be a good scenario."

In a further twist, Rossi admitted that Alonso, a winner at Le Mans, could well form part of Alpine's LMDh (Le Mans Daytona h) programme in the World Endurance Championship.

"It's always been part of the discussion," said Rossi. "Last year, even when we're discussing for the renewal for this year, we talked about the fact that Fernando is a legend of the sport, but also a legend of the Renault group. For us, he is the champion, and is always going to have a seat in LMDH.

"The day he switches it will be welcome, it's his team. So obviously this is part of the discussion. We actually made that decision also thinking about him in the first place."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by TokyoAussie, 28/07/2022 3:10

"Good news on both fronts."

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2. Posted by Endre, 27/07/2022 15:22

"McLaren is not in the habit of taking drivers on loan, but nothing is impossible. Alpine for sure will want Piastri back to replace either Ocon or Alonso. If McLaren really wants to get rid of Daniel (which would be sad, but honestly at this point somewhat understandable) they would most likely look for someone for the long term in my opinion."

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3. Posted by kenji, 27/07/2022 0:37

"Whilst acknowledging the fact that all contracts can be terminated..ultimately when two parties agree the price I think you'll find that in this instance Ricciardo will still be racing for McLaren in '23.He is quite wealthy and from my understanding he has a great desire to win, that supercedes his desire for wealth. Given his latest intervention concerning the rampaging British 'rumour mill' that seeks to diminish him at every possible opportunity I would hazard a guess and say the he'll be there on the grid as he has clearly enunciated on many occasions. One can only hope that we get the chance to see Piastri on the same grid. His talent is prodigious and if he is to succeed he must not spend more that one year on the sidelines as that would too long and his edge would become vastly diminished. "

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4. Posted by BillH, 26/07/2022 19:31

"Could it be that Piastri ends up at say McLaren on loan until 2024-25 should McLaren want to shuffle Ricciardo out?

It could solve a problem if McLaren has to pay DR to leave early as they would get Piastri cheap."

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5. Posted by Chester, 26/07/2022 19:06

"@Endre. Your Occam's Razor deduction of Piastri going to Williams solves the "shoe to drop" issue of what happens to a competitive Ocon."

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6. Posted by Endre, 26/07/2022 18:37

"So the Williams deal for Piastri must be agreed upon. I can't wait to see this guy in F1"

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Rossi confident that Alonso and Piastri will be on 2023 F1 grid

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