Piastri took a convincing F2 title in 2021 as a rookie, his third straight title in three years after previously conquering FIA F3 and the Formula Renault Eurocup.
But despite being tipped as one of the hottest talents to come through the ranks in recent years, the 20-year-old Austrian will spend the 2022 season without a race seat.
Instead, the Alpine academy graduate will act as the F1 squad’s official reserve driver, splitting duties between the simulator and travelling to the majority of the races.
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It draws parallels with Alpine race driver Esteban Ocon’s time as a reserve driver at Mercedes in 2019, before establishing himself at the Enstone outfit in 2020 and earning a three-year contract extension last season.
Piastri says he “wouldn’t 100% rule out” a one-off race appearance though “highly doubts” he’ll do a full season, but contends that 2022 won’t be a wasted year as he is set to absorb a huge amount of…
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