Peter Windsor thinks Oscar Piastri could be in Mercedes or Ferrari if he stayed with Alpine

Follow us on Google Discover

Oscar Piastri has impressed since joining McLaren in 2023, having taken his first win in Formula 1 in the Sprint race at Qatar.

The Australian has firmly stayed within reach of long-time McLaren driver Lando Norris, having also come close to winning Grands Prix at several races this year.

Piastri was originally due to join Alpine in 2023 but was caught up in a contract dispute with the team and McLaren, having signed a deal with the latter when the French outfit kept delaying talks about a full-time drive.

Alpine felt they had fulfilled their obligations in giving him a full test programme ahead of an F1 debut, but the F1 Contract Recognition Board sided with McLaren after it found that the French team had not offered him a race role for 2023.

Peter Windsor feels things could have panned out differently for Piastri when discussing his career trajectory on his YouTube livestream.

Peter Windsor feels Oscar Piastri could have driven for Ferrari instead of Lewis Hamilton

With the news that Lewis Hamilton will be driving for Ferrari in 2025, it was clear that there was leeway in an otherwise stagnant driver market over the winter.

Windsor feels Piastri could have impressed up against Esteban Ocon, which in turn might have shown Ferrari and Mercedes that he is world champion material.

“It’s interesting to think about what would’ve happened had he just done what he was announced to be doing, which is driving for Alpine alongside Ocon,” said Windsor.

“He would have been showing up Ocon and he would be on everyone’s list, and maybe he would have gone to Ferrari instead of Lewis? Or maybe he would be going to Mercedes alongside George? But because he’s got a long-term commitment to McLaren it isn’t going to happen.”

Oscar Piastri impressed on his way up to Formula 1

Piastri’s record in junior formula categories speaks for itself, with the Australian winning a title in nearly every series on debut on his way up to F1.

His methodical approach to driving in Formula 2 is what caused heads to turn in the F1 paddock, leading to the battle for his services between McLaren and Alpine.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri’s life outside F1 from height to girlfriend

Alpine failed to advance their talks beyond 2022 with the Australian, prompting his management to seek a drive elsewhere with another team.

In the end, driving for McLaren has turned out to be a sound career move as they have now produced the fastest car on the grid and stand a chance of challenging Red Bull for more race wins in the second half of the 2024 season.