Former Formula 1 driver Pedro de la Rosa says the situation surrounding the future of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso at Alpine is “unbelievable” after the team’s hierarchy offered only a lukewarm endorsement of the Spaniard.
In an interview with DAZN, Renault CEO Luca de Meo appeared to suggest Australian Oscar Piastri would be a better option than Alonso for 2023.
The 41-year-old is in the second and final year of his contract with Alpine, with teammate Esteban Ocon already signed for next season.
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Piastri, the reigning Formula 2 champion, is Alpine’s reserve driver. He told Wide World of Sports that while he’s OK with spending 2022 on the sidelines, he won’t accept a second year out of racing.
“We combined the experience of Alonso with the youth of Ocon and now Piastri enters,” de Meo said. “It is a challenge to find a position for the three of them.
“The solution will not be 100 per cent pleasant for all three of them, but we believe that we have to give each one of them an opportunity.
“We have to protect the three drivers, and also the one that they say is a super-talent in Piastri.
“Fernando is 41-years-old and Piastri is 21. The moment of change will come, but Fernando is a legend and so we cannot treat him as if he was just another Alpine employee.”
Alonso has had a frustrating 2022 season, with only a pair of ninth-place finishes to show for his efforts so far. His tally of four world championship points looks poor when compared to the 30 racked up by Ocon, but Alonso has had a run of bad luck that has hampered him in the opening six races.
Alonso’s countryman, de la Rosa, says Alpine should be doing everything possible to re-sign the 2005 and 2006 world champion, who has said he wants to continue in the sport for another “two or three years.”
“I was surprised there was no ratification, it’s unbelievable,” he told DAZN.
“The question, for me, is whether Fernando would want to continue, not the other way around. The plan is medium to long term in Formula 1, otherwise there are no results.
“The way for ‘El (The) Plan’ to work is to have Fernando in the team for several years – it’s a long-distance race.”
Alpine team principal, Otmar Szafnauer, has previously said the team will make a call in July over its drivers for next season.
Alonso has been linked with a possible move to Aston Martin for 2023 should Sebastian Vettel decide to retire, while Piastri has also been mentioned as a possible replacement for Nicholas Latifi at Williams.
The Australian could also be in line for a Formula 1 debut this weekend alongside countryman Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren, with Lando Norris battling tonsillitis. Piastri is part of McLaren’s pool of reserve drivers.
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