Piastri: Chances of securing 2022 Alfa seat 'basically none'

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F2 championship leader Oscar Piastri is rumored to be in the running for a seat in F1 with Alfa Romeo in 2022, but the young Aussie insists his chances of securing the drive are "basically none".

Piastri, who graduated to Formula 2 after winning last year's FIA Formula 3 Championship, is in the midst of an outstanding first season in the category.

The 20-year-old currently leads fellow Alpine junior Guanyu Zhou with two rounds to go in the series. And the young charger's performances have reportedly put him on the radar of Alfa Romeo which has yet to nominate the driver that will race alongside new recruit Valtteri Bottas next season.

Piastri's manager, former F1 driver Mark Webber, alluded to his protégé's potential chances of joining the Swiss outfit in 2022, although he also admitted that Alpine would perhaps be reluctant to part with Piastri's talent.

©Alpine

As far as the latter is concerned, his chances of joining the grid next season in F1 with Alfa Romeo are remote.

"My chances of being in F1 next year are extremely low, I think basically none," he said in an interview 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."

Read also: Leclerc says Piastri deserves F1 seat 'on merit'

Securing the F2 title in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season would preclude Piastri from undertaking a second season in the junior class, which begs the question of how the young talent would occupy his year.

Formula 1's expected new rule that should mandate all teams to run a junior driver in at least two FP1 sessions would offer Piastri some F1 mileage with Alpine in 2022 as well as a reserve driver role.

"I think the most realistic target and goal is to be Alpine’s reserve for next year," he confirmed.

"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."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.