Australia’s newest Formula 1 driver, Oscar Piastri, could be given the chance to christen Melbourne’s revamped grand prix circuit once upgrade works are complete.
Piastri was last night named as Alpine’s reserve driver for 2022, and is widely tipped to replace former world champion Fernando Alonso in a race seat for 2023.
The Albert Park circuit has been extensively revised since it was last used in 2019, with five corners modified and two others removed altogether, while a complete resurfacing of the track will be completed over summer, ahead of April’s race.
When the Adelaide circuit was first opened in 1985, former world champion Alan Jones drove the first laps of the track.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation boss Andrew Westacott has told Wide World of Sports he’s keen to honour Australia’s F1 stars.
“It would be a lovely way to begin,” he said.
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“Co-incidentally the circuit is getting resurfaced in January, wouldn’t it be great if Oscar just happened to be in town over the New Year break? He might want to come along and do a ceremonial lap to christen the circuit.
“Regardless of whether it happens in January or April, I’d love to see Oscar and Daniel Ricciardo, along with Mark Webber and Alan Jones, maybe we’ll make it a collective group of the four of them.”
Westacott said Piastri’s results over the last few years speak for themselves, making it impossible for Alpine to ignore his progress.
“It’s exceptional news and so well deserved,” he explained.
“The fact he’s won F3 in 2020 and he leads F2 this year is a great sign, if he goes on to win F2 this year he joins George Russell and Charles Leclerc in winning those two series as a rookie, and everyone knows how good those two are.
“I’m so pleased for everyone involved with Oscar’s career. What you don’t see is the huge sacrifice Oscar has made, and also his family. He moved overseas when he was 14.
“When we’re congratulating Oscar and patting him on the back, we should do the same for those that have supported him.”
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Piastri will have the chance to drive on at least two grand prix weekends next year, with new rules requiring teams to run a rookie driver during opening practice during the season.
With Melbourne set to host the third round of the 2022 championship, Westacott joked that Albert Park would be the perfect place for Piastri to join the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in Friday morning’s practice session.
“I think Round 1 would be premature, Round 2 would be premature, so Round 3 I think is the perfect fit,” Westacott said with a chuckle.
“He’s going to be learning off a dual world champion at Alpine, in Fernando Alonso, and with a guy like Mark Webber in his corner as manager, that bodes well for Oscar’s future.
“He’s got the drive because he’s an unbelievably good talent.”
The 20-year-old, who Webber rates as “one of the best three juniors in the world”, holds a 36 point lead in the F2 championship with two rounds remaining.
Speaking to Nine’s Today, Piastri said the F1 drive is a dream come true.
“It was obviously a very exciting moment, not quite the final step on my journey, I hope, but certainly as close as I can get,” he said.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid, being so close and being in some kind of F1 role, as a reserve driver, is pretty special to me.
“I was pretty pumped when I found out.”
Piastri said competition for places on the F1 grid is intense, with only 20 spots available.
“It’s brutal, and I still haven’t got the F1 seat, I’ve got the reserve driver role, but I don’t want to stop there, I want the race seat in the near future as well,” he explained.
“It’s not been easy, you’ve got to beat a lot of good people as well.”
Under the original 2021 Formula 1 calendar, Melbourne would have hosted the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.
That was canned in July due to uncertainty over what travel restrictions would still be in place.
As it turns out, fully vaccinated travellers from overseas can now visit Melbourne, meaning the race could have been held.
But Westacott says he’s happy with the call that was made four months ago.
“Yes, with the benefit of hindsight it could have gone ahead, but when you look at it, if we’re going to stage a sensational Formula 1 event, it’s all coming together for that to happen on April 10 next year,” he said.
“We’re much better positioned to really do it justice next year with massive crowds, and two Aussies being at the event.
“There’ll be new cars, a new track, maybe a new world champion, and Daniel Ricciardo in new colours, given he hasn’t been to Australia with McLaren yet.
“I’m not regretting the move, it just builds the hype for April next year.”
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