How F2's biggest talent could be forced to spend 2022 on the bench

By:

Megan White

Sep 24, 2021, 10:12 AM

Tipped as the next big thing after winning the FIA Formula 3 championship in his rookie season, Oscar Piastri has taken Formula 2 by storm and looks set to clinch that title too. But with no Formula 1 seat available to him for next year, the Alpine junior may have to wait for his time in the spotlight…

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Rarely do rookies win consecutive championships in FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2. Formula 1 standouts Charles Leclerc and George Russell did just that, but such is the level of skill it takes to hit the ground running and beat competitors with far more experience. Piastri looks set to join that elite group if he can secure this year's F2 crown, which he leads by 15 points heading into this weekend's Sochi round.

But where Leclerc and Russell walked into F1 seats the year after their 2017 and 2018 F2 title wins with Alfa Romeo and Williams respectively, there appears to be no such opening for Alpine junior Piastri next year, with the only vacant seat at the Ferrari-affiliated Alfa Romeo squad.

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Megan White

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Megan White is Autosport’s News Editor and Formula 2 and 3 reporter.

She began her career in national news after graduating from Kingston University, working at SWNS and the Evening Standard, with a stint working in communications in the music industry.

Megan made the switch to motorsport in 2021, swapping covering COVID and Brexit as a Digital News Editor at LBC for F2, F3 and W Series. Her love of cars began as a child, but her passion for motorsport was ignited after watching the Senna documentary. She has since also developed a fondness for MotoGP.

Away from motorsport, Megan enjoys collecting records, seeing live music and ice hockey.