Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi believes both Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri will be racing in Formula 1 next season in an intriguing update on their futures.
With Esteban Ocon tied down to a long-term deal, there is currently only room for one of them at Enstone. Alonso currently holds the seat, and is likely to continue racing for the team in 2023 as the 40-year-old's passion for the sport continues to burn brightly.
That means F2 champion Piastri would have to go elsewhere to find a seat for next year. Alpine are unwilling to allow the promising young racer to leave their development programme, but the rumour mill has suggested that they would be open to allowing him to join another team in a loan-style deal.
Rossi has now confirmed that plan, telling reporters in France last weekend: "I'd be open to loan Oscar out to a team as long as I get him back. We've invested heavily in Oscar, we believe in him and that’s why he's our reserve driver. He's a very promising talent. We would love to fulfil this talent in the team. So a loan, like many other drivers, starting in another team, to learn the tricks and then coming back to us will be a good scenario."
And the Alpine chief seems confident they can strike such a deal for the young Australian. Asked if he thinks both Alonso and Piastri will be on the grid in 2023, he replied: "I think so." He expanded: "Fernando, this contract is over this year, so obviously we are discussing with him, we are building scenarios for him and Oscar.
"The two of them are worthy drivers, and we would love them to drive next year. We are working on scenarios for both of them to drive and scenarios that are very plausible, very sensible, and that we imagine would satisfy both drivers. That's why. I can't say more."
Williams is the expected destination for Piastri, with the team looking to replace Nicholas Latifi. Team principal Jost Capito was in the room to hear Rossi's answers, and did not rule out a loan deal for the 21-year-old when asked about his driver plans for 2023.
"I think we've got various options, as you mentioned," said the German. "And that's the options we are thinking about as well. And we will finally go for what we believe is the best for the team. But it's too early to get into details, because we're not there yet.
"I think if that was the best for us, then we would consider that. If it's not the best, if we have another, better solution, we will go for the better solution."
