General
Alfa Romeo responds to rumours: 'As far as I know it is linked to Alpine'.
- GPblog.com
It is still unclear who will drive alongside Valtteri Bottas at Alfa Romeo Racing in 2022. The names of several candidates have already been floated, including Nyck de Vries, Guanyu Zhou and Theo Pourchaire, but the most recent driver to be linked with a switch is Oscar Piastri. Frederic Vasseur has reacted to the rumours in Turkey.
Piastri is currently winning the Formula 2 championship and has a lead of 36 points. The 20-year old driver is not allowed to race in F2 again if he wins the championship, so Piastri would have to find another place to live if it comes to that.
Piastri and Alpine
Formula 1 would be a dream and that would have to happen at Alfa Romeo, because that is the only place left. Vasseur doesn't think Piastri will be signed by Alfa Romeo though. "He has done a very good and consistent job, but as far as I know he is linked to Alpine." Interestingly enough, Zhou has also been linked to Alpine and this is also thought to be possible. Alpine's willingness and demands will be decisive in that regard.
Vasseur previously promised that there would be clarity on the second seat by the end of September. That hasn't work out and so the team boss joked in the presence of, amongst others, Motorsport-Magazin.com "I didn't say in September which year. It's not an easy choice, there are new rules. We have to look at all aspects and talk to all stakeholders. We will make the decision in the coming weeks."
Or maybe Giovinazzi?
Antonio Giovinazzi is also still a contender. The Italian has been racing for Alfa Romeo since 2019 and would then be entering his fourth season with the Italian formation if he is kept on.