Rumors

'Piastri to Williams in 2023 and 2024, team switches to Renault engine'

14 June 2022 at 12:34
Last update 14 June 2022 at 13:26
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  • GPblog.com

Oscar Piastri has been linked with a switch to Williams for several weeks now and the noises are getting more intense by the day. According to Sergio Rodríquez of Formula Rapida the Alpine protégé will be stabled for two years at the team from Grove. Williams would then also start driving with Renault engines from next season.

The Race reported earlier this week that Piastri is on the verge of signing a 2023 contract with the Grove-based formation. On Tuesday, it became clear that the Australian was testing with Alpine's 2021 A521 at the Silverstone circuit. A preparation for a Formula 1 entry? That's what it looks like.

Piastri on loan for two years

According to the latest rumors, Piastri will drive on loan to Williams for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. It would mean the final exit of the disappointing Nicholas Latifi. In 2025 he should then be ready for the real thing at Alpine. Currently, the French formation has no room, as Esteban Ocon is still under contract through 2024 and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso seems to want to continue for several more seasons.

The trajectory is a bit reminiscent of how George Russell was brought. The talented Briton first gained three years of experience at Williams where the pressure is less and there is room to learn. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old driver is doing more than creditable in his debut season for Mercedes. He has already scored 37 points more than Lewis Hamilton.

Customer team for Renault again

As part of the deal, Williams will also purchase engines from Renault from 2023. With that, it says goodbye to Mercedes as an engine supplier. Team boss Toto Wolff recently let it be known that Mercedes would be happy to supply one team with fewer power sources in the future. For Renault, Williams becomes the first customer team in Formula 1 after McLaren decided to go with Mercedes in 2021.