Rising Australian star Oscar Piastri has been named as a reserve driver for the Alpine Formula 1 team in 2022.

Piastri — the 2020 Formula 3 world champion — is on course to back up that success in the Formula 2 championship this year, leading the series with three wins and seven pole positions.

With two rounds remaining, Piastri is on track to join George Russell and Charles Leclerc in an elite club to have back-to-back F3 and F2 titles as rookies.

While unable to secure an F1 seat for next year, the 20-year-old's move to be a reserve driver means he will be part of extensive testing and in line to race in the sport's elite category if an opportunity arises.

"I'm super excited to be joining Alpine F1 Team as a reserve driver," Piastri said in a team statement.

"I'm looking forward to being much more involved with the team and contributing to its intended success next season.

The news is a bonus for Piastri, who would be unable to continue racing in F2 if he wins this year's title.

"I've proved myself in the junior formulas over the last couple of years and feel like I'm ready for Formula 1 now," he said. 

"Along with the trackside experience at race weekends, we will put together a substantial test program in order to keep developing myself to grow even more prepared for a race seat."

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Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi said Piastri's natural talent was "clear to see".

"Not only does Oscar have the on-track skills, as demonstrated over the last couple of years in the junior categories, but also the maturity and composure that makes him really stand out from the rest," he said.

With his 2022 role secured, Piastri will turn all his attention to securing the F2 title, with the next event at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia from December 3 to 5.

The season finale at Abu Dhabi is the following weekend from December 10-12.

AAP/ABC