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Has Piastri been contracted by Alpine for 2023 without his own approval?

2 August 2022 at 17:42
Last update 2 August 2022 at 18:07
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  • GPblog.com

Alpine did not waste any time after it was announced on Monday that Fernando Alonso will leave for Aston Martin next season. The French racing team confirmed that Oscar Piastri will replace the two-time world champion in 2023. But did Piastri know before Tuesday night's announcement that he will drive for the team from Enstone?

Piastri has not yet commented on his forthcoming Formula One debut via his own social channels. Normally, this is the case and in the press release that Alpine sent, there is also no first reaction of the 21-year old driver to be found. A bit remarkable. Moreover, Alpine also did not let us know for how many years Piastri has been signed.

Alpine said in a statement about the succession of Alonso: ""In line with the commitments made by the Team to the young Australian, Oscar will be promoted to race driver and step in Fernando Alonso’s seat from next year onwards." When Piastri became the test and reserve driver at Alpine this year, he was reportedly promised a seat in Formula One in 2023 anyway, just with which team was not specified.

Does Piastri want to go to McLaren?

The plan for a long time seemed to be to lend Piastri to Williams, because Alonso seemed to be renewing his contract. Piastri himself, however, would have been aiming for a permanent switch to the McLaren team. Negotiations between those parties have already taken place and rumour has it that Piastri would prefer to work for McLaren. Alpine has now prevented that by activating something like an option in Piastri's contract.

The question is whether the talent himself is aware of this clause and whether he acknowledges its existence. On Twitter, there is amazement at the way in which the Piastri news has been made known by Alpine. Legal action from Piastri's side is not excluded.

Astonishment about Alpine announcement