Formula 2 champion earns a seat: 'Going to find a solution'

Piastri had a great year with Prema in Formula 2, as he won six races and was on the podium a total of ten times. He eventually became Formula 2 champion, earning his third title in three years.

Still, Alpine did not free up a spot for the Australian driver. Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon will still drive at Alpine next year, so there is no Formula 1 seat for the reigning Formula 2 champion. However, this coming season he will be trained and prepared so that he can get a spot on the Formula 1 grid in the future.

Free practice and simulator work

Marcin Budkowski, former Executive Director of Alpine, tells Formula 1's official website that Piastri is not going to do nothing. He will do simulator work, spend time in the factory and he has to drive two free practice sessions according to the new regulations. This will prepare him for Formula 1: "We'll develop Oscar a lot, beyond just taking him to the races as our third driver."

So who should eventually leave Alpine remains to be seen. Ocon has a long-term contract, but Alonso also proved last season that he deserved a seat. Alpine will see how things go next season. If they don't have a spot for him, they'll make sure he can go somewhere else. "But certainly we have a great talent with Oscar in the wings and if there is no seat available at Alpine I’m sure we will find a solution for him to drive a Formula 1 car and stay in the Alpine family."