Who will take the second Alfa Romeo seat? 'My chances are basically zero'

It remains to be seen who will sit next to Valtteri Bottas at Alfa Romeo next year. Several names are being linked with the seat at the team, including Guanyu Zhou, current Alfa Romeo driver Antonio Giovinazzi and also Oscar Piastri. The Formula 2 driver reveals more about his chances in Formula 1.

"My chances of being in F1 next year are extremely low, I think basically none", he says in an interview with JAM Sports Management, posted on his own website. "I know [Guanyu] Zhou has been very heavily linked to that seat and also Giovinazzi is there at the moment. I don’t think I’m going to be in that seat at all, I think it is the only opportunity for next year. I’d be happily surprised if it was me in that seat for next year.”

Piastri has other goals for now

"I think the most realistic target and goal is to be Alpine’s reserve for next year", he confirms. "Because at the end of the day I am still very heavily linked with them and very appreciative of their support, and I think that is reciprocated."

"So I think the most logical step is to try to become reserve driver for next year and see what kind of programme we can come up with for next year, and hopefully do some testing and FP1 sessions. And then try to get into an F1 seat for the following year for 2023.” Next season, Formula 1 plans to introduce a mandatory rule to allow rookies to drive in the Friday practice sessions. So who knows, we might still see Piastri in F1 next year.