Let’s go: Oscar Piastri has been announced as reserve driver for Alpine F1. Picture: PREMA Racing (supplied)
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PREMA Racing
Australian motorsport sensation Oscar Piastri is a step closer to living out his childhood dream of being a Formula One driver.
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Piastri, who has strong family ties to Shepparton, was announced as the reserve driver for Alpine F1 Team on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old is a current Alpine Academy driver but he will graduate into the F1 team for the 2022 season.
“I’m super excited to be joining Alpine F1 Team as reserve driver,” Piastri said.
“I’m looking forward to being much more involved with the team and contributing to its intended success next season. The reserve driver role is the next step towards my aim for a race seat in 2023, which is very exciting.”
Taking the next step: Oscar Piastri will become Alpine’s reserve driver in Formula One next year. Picture: PREMA Racing (supplied)
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PREMA Racing
The news comes following an eye-catching 12 months from the junior wiz.
Piastri currently leads the F2 championship by 36 points ahead of the final two rounds of the season.
Last year’s F3 Championship winner has turned heads in the F1 paddock in his rookie F2 campaign.
With an abundance of race craft and sizzling speed, Piastri has claimed three wins, seven podiums and three pole positions — which he achieved at three consecutive races.
If Piastri can clinch the F2 title, he will follow in the footsteps of F1 stars Charles Leclerc and George Russell in winning back-to-back F3 and F2 titles as rookies.
“I’ve proved myself in the junior formulas over the last couple of years and feel like I’m ready for Formula One now,” Piastri said.
“I’m very thankful to Alpine for their support. We’ve enjoyed two very successful seasons together in the academy and I’m grateful for the faith they’ve put in me for this next step with an eye on a bigger future.
“My focus now is finishing the Formula Two Championship in the best possible way with Prema and I’m looking forward to being back in the car and pushing hard on track.”
Young gun: Oscar Piastri in action during the 2021 season. Picture: PREMA Racing (supplied)
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PREMA Racing
Although Piastri missed out on securing a spot on the F1 grid for next year, many predict that the emerging star will replace two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in 2023.
But the youngster should get a crack to drive on a grand prix weekend next year.
New F1 rules dictate teams must run a rookie driver during two open practice sessions in 2022 — which will allow Piastri to get behind the wheel.
Family and friends of Piastri from the Goulburn Valley region will be hoping that comes in round three when the F1 paddock descends on Melbourne on April 7-10.
Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi said the team was excited to have locked in Piastri for next year.
“Oscar’s natural talent is clear to see, so we’re very proud and privileged to have him as part of our team as our reserve driver from next year,” he said.
“Not only does Oscar have the on-track skills, as demonstrated over the last couple of years in the junior categories, but also the maturity and composure that makes him really stand out from the rest.”
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