Australian racing phenom Oscar Piastri has greatly improved his chances of debuting in Formula 1 this season after McLaren added him to their pool of reserve drivers for 2022.
Last year’s Formula 2 winner is Alpine’s reserve driver this season, with his team striking an agreement with McLaren to allow him to race in the event that one of their drivers is made unavailable.
Alpine Tweeted that they agreed to make the move in the “spirit of offering maximum racing opportunities” to their young drivers.
In the spirit of offering maximum racing opportunities to our stable of young talent, we have agreed that @McLarenF1 may call upon BWT Alpine F1 Team Reserve Driver @OscarPiastri in the event one of their drivers is unable to race. pic.twitter.com/etmryT1UrJ
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) March 12, 2022
With the move being made official on Sunday morning (AEDT), Piastri could compete alongside fellow countryman Daniel Ricciardo or England’s Lando Norris if one of the drivers is deemed unavailable - particularly due to COVID.
Ricciardo recently tested positive to the virus, but McLaren are expecting him to be released in time for next weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
While Piastri, 20, is not a full-time driver in 2022, this move could see him become the next cab of the ranks if he performs well for either McLaren or Alpine if he gets a chance this campaign.
Piastri will back up two-time champion Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon in 2022 at Alpine.