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MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Race winner Oscar Piastri of Australia and Prema Racing celebrates in parc ferme during Round 5:Monza feature race of the Formula 2 Championship at Autodromo di Monza on September 12, 2021 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Joe Portlock – Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images)
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MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Race winner Oscar Piastri of Australia and Prema Racing celebrates in parc ferme during Round 5:Monza feature race of the Formula 2 Championship at Autodromo di Monza on September 12, 2021 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Joe Portlock – Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images)
Oscar Piastri has been a notorious man around the paddock. With jokes and subtle digs, the 2021 F2 champion is both talented and witty. In a recent conversation, Esteban Ocon joined in on the banter with Piastri, and the two did not disappoint.
After having won three championships in different feeder series, Piastri is now unfortunately without an F1 seat for 2022. He has had to settle with the role of Alpine’s reserve driver. Thus, he made a nuanced statement about the irony of his situation. “Hope I can be the champion of sitting on the couch next year.”
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Esteban Ocon, then driving for Sahara Force India, racing at Circuit of the Americas, Austin during the United States Grand Prix on October 22nd, 2017. #F1 #Formula1 #racing #motorsport #autosport #USGP #USGP2016 #Austin #ATX #sport #cars #racecars #COTA #EstebanOcon #ForceIndia pic.twitter.com/mmsxPB97Wp
— Dave Wilson (@dawilson) May 22, 2020
In a post sharing Piastri’s quotes, Alpine driver Esteban Ocon made a sneaky comment. “I’m the 2019 champion.”
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Referring to the time he was deprived of a seat after Racing Point shut the door on him, Ocon’s comment didn’t go unnoticed.
2021 Rookie of the Year- Oscar Piastri
Piastri left the FIA gala thinking about his filling silverware cabinet at home. Not only did the Aussie lift the championship’s trophy, but also a duly deserved Rookie of the Year award.
However, the unfortunate reality remains that Piastri will spend 2022 without an F1 seat. Yet, the dream is alive in the young champion. Now as Alpine’s reserve driver, Piastri knows he’s just one stepping stone away from a career in the big league.
This never gets old 😍@alpinef1team #A521 pic.twitter.com/ssU6ap2onU
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) December 15, 2021
After a successful round with the young drivers’ test in Abu Dhabi, Piastri got a taste of absolute speed and wonder. “It was my first time working with the race team, I’ve seen them before but working with all those people I’ve seen as above me for the last year or so, to be working with them now was awesome.”
The newly appointed reserve driver found confidence in the Alpine monocoque. “It got me into the environment, I’m almost a F1 driver now so yeah it does feel like my first day of my new job.”
Clearly amped about his future in Formula 1, the world awaits the day Piastri sits behind an F1 steering wheel!
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