Alpine announced earlier today that they have signed Australian Oscar Piastri to drive for them in 2023 replacing Aston Martin bound Fernando Alonso.
However, shortly after Alpine issued their statement, Piastri took to social media to announced that there is no agreement with the French Formula 1 team, and that he won’t be driving for them.
Piastri said in his statement: “I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year.
“This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year,” the reigning Formula 2 Champion insisted.
Worth noting, that the press release issued by Alpine did not include a quote from driver as is the usual practice, with a statement from Otmar Szafnauer available.
Piastri to McLaren?
Reports have been circulating that Piastri’s destination in 2023 would be McLaren, as his manager – former F1 driver Mark Webber – has been talking to the Woking squad about a potential drive for Piastri in 2023.
Piastri would replace Daniel Ricciardo, but the latter has announced recently that he is committed to the team for the remainder of his contract at the end of 2023, with reports saying only he has the option to terminate the agreement with the team prematurely.
Reports mentioned that Alpine claimed that they have the contractual right to put Piastri in their car next year, a right they seem to have put into effect ahead of their announcement.
Earlier this year, when Daniel Ricciardo contacted Covid-19, Alpine offered Piastri as a reserve for McLaren should they need to replace the Ricciardo in time for the season opener, which wasn’t the case as he was fit to race.
Nothing has been issued yet from the McLaren camp on this matter.
I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) August 2, 2022