F1 News
"Piastri obviously taken that decision thinking that Alonso’s staying"
- GPblog.com
Alpine announced on Tuesday that Oscar Piastri will succeed Fernando Alonso, who is moving to Aston Martin. Surprisingly, however, the driver himself was not consulted, causing Piastri to react with surprise. Paul Di Resta found it an unusual situation, he told Sky Sports.
The former Formula 1 driver saw a lot of panic at Alpine. While the stable did not expect Alonso to leave the formation, it had to look for a new driver quickly. Although it was a logical choice that it would end up with Piastri, there is not much good to say about the communication.
"It’s very odd," judged Di Resta. "I think the whole paddock was caught by surprise yesterday. Fernando going to Aston, I hasn’t heard it anywhere, I don’t believe any of my colleagues had heard it either, and obviously caught Otmar Szafnauer by surprise. That’s what’s lead on to what’s happened with Piastri."
Piastri possibly didn't see a chance at Alpine anymore
The driver was reportedly in talks with McLaren to possibly succeed Daniel Ricciardo. As Alpine seemed to have two drivers with whom it could continue next season with Alonso and Esteban Ocon, Piastri was no longer counting on a longer stay with the French.
"He’s obviously taken that decision thinking that Alonso’s staying. It seemed that was gonna be the obvious thing that was going on. I guess more is gonna come out, I’m surprised to see that statement so early on with what’s happened and equally Alpine announcing a driver that doesn’t want to be there."