Alpine now determined not to repeat Oscar Piastri mistake with 22-year-old academy driver

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French Formula 1 team Alpine are determined not to miss out on young star Victor Martins like they did when Oscar Piastri departed the team.

A report from Auto Hebdo has shared the potential future driver line-ups of several teams on the grid.

They believe that Ferrari are planning on utilising their relationship with Haas to get one of their most exciting talents on the grid in 2025.

Right now, there’s only one seat left to fill for the 2024 season.

That’s at Williams, with Logan Sargeant fighting for his place on the grid having yet to score a point in his rookie season.

Aside from the American, every single current driver has retained their seat, with Daniel Ricciardo setting in for Liam Lawson once he recovers from injury.

This means a backlog of talented young drivers is only going to increase as they fight for their spot on the grid.

2022 F2 champion Felipe Drugovich looks set to miss out again, while this year’s likely champion Theo Pourchaire is in the same boat.

One driver who will be looking to step up very soon is Victor Martins.

After Alpine dramatically lost Oscar Piastri to McLaren this season, they’ll be desperate for the same thing not to happen again when Martins is ready for Formula 1.

Alpine keen to avoid Piastri mistake with Martins

The French team currently employ Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly as their two drivers.

The pair weren’t particularly pleased with each other in Suzuka but have both had solid seasons.

Auto Hebdo believe that Martins has impressed in F2 this year and if he wins the championship in 2024, Alpine would like him to step up into their Formula 1 team.

They go on to say that, ‘Alpine is determined not to make the same mistake as with Oscar Piastri’, which makes a lot of sense given Martins’s potential.

The 22-year-old is currently the highest-place rookie in the championship right now with one round to go.

Two podiums in his first three races suggested he might be in with a shot of challenging for a second championship on the bounce.

However, his teammate Pourchaire has used his added experience to lead the way throughout the season.

The lack of other seats available should mean Alpine are capable of keeping hold of Martins.

He now needs to put the pressure on Gasly and Ocon by coming out on top in F2 in 2024.