It came as a surprise to some, then, that when Alpine announced the Australian would make his F1 debut with them next year, replacing Fernando Alonso, Piastri responded by saying he would not be driving for the French team next year. Why deny the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream? As is usually the case in Formula 1, there was more. READ MORE: Piastri to race for McLaren in 2023 after CRB ruling It soon emerged that the F2 champion had already agreed to join McLaren because at the time he felt there was no Alpine seat available for the foreseeable future. With both teams vying for him, the Contract Recognition Board had to – believed to be at the request of Alpine – and on Friday, they revealed that it was McLaren that had the valid contract with Piastri, and it was subsequently announced that he would drive for them. “I’m delighted to finally be announced as a McLaren driver for next year and now we’re looking forward to the future,” Piastri told me in his first interview since the news. “I’m still wary of Alpine and I’m happy to carry out those duties still, but it’s a conversation we have to have between myself and the team. We’ll see how it looks and then we’ll obviously be very excited to join the grid with McLaren next season.” Piastri said he was “super excited” about McLaren’s move
Piastri in… great memories of Alpine but excitement for McLaren’s future
Piastri joined the Alps Academy in 2020 after winning the Formula Renault Eurocup title the previous year. That season, he won the F3 title at the first attempt and followed in the footsteps of George Russell and Charles Leclerc by winning the F2 title the following year. It was an incredible rise. Over the past two years, Piastri has completed a robust testing program in old F1 machinery, while also being integrated into the team as a reserve driver to prepare for when the opportunity to make the final step into a race position arises. It’s clear that Piastri is grateful to Alpine for the opportunity and support he received in his development. READ MORE: McLaren boss Seidl reveals key factors behind Piastri signing – says CRB decision ‘no surprise’ However, it is believed that while Alpine contributed his way through F2 and F3, as well as F1 machinery, much of the financial support needed for successful F3 and F2 campaigns came from family and sponsors. “I have really enjoyed my time with Alpine,” he said. “I joined the Academy after winning the Formula Renault Championship in 2019 as part of the championship prize and have enjoyed two incredibly successful years as part of the Academy with two more championships, so I have nothing but respect for all the team at Enstone . “It was a good test schedule that we ended up at Alpine this year, rather than not having a place for this year. It’s put me in a good position and I’m very grateful to Alpine for the testing we’ve done this year, but McLaren is a different team, a different car and the 2022 cars in general are quite different beasts, so we’ll see how much of that carries over. “I will look back on my time at Enstone with great memories, but now I am focused on my future and starting my F1 career.” Piastri took part in the end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi with Alpine last year
Piastri for… why he left Alpine
Alpine had offered Fernando Alonso a new contract, believed to be an extra year with an option for a second. If the two-time world champion had accepted the offer, it would have meant that Piastri would not drive an Alpine in 2023, or perhaps not even 2024. That would be three years without an F1 seat. So Piastri started looking elsewhere. In his and his management’s view, they were not under contract to race for Alpine in 2023 and so had to look elsewhere to secure a grid place for that season. ANALYSIS: Unpacking the Piastri-Alpine-McLaren situation after the CRB decision “The CRB decision confirmed that I was out of contract for the 2023 season [with Alpine],” he said. “I was free to choose my own destiny – and I felt McLaren was a great opportunity. They were very sincere and very willing and enthusiastic to have me. To be perfectly honest, there was a lack of clarity about my future to the Alpine team. “They publicly stated that they wanted to continue with Fernando for at least another year or two. I respect that. But after spending the year out, my hopes fixed on an Alpine seat and the lack of clarity and, like Fernando, a bit of a strange feeling in the negotiations, I didn’t feel it was the right decision for me [to stay around]. “The lack of clarity about my future and ultimately the collapse of confidence, I felt McLaren’s very attractive offer and positive dealings with them so far were all reasons why I felt McLaren was in the best place for the future ». Piastri won back-to-back F3 and F2 titles
Piastri on… the story of the simulator and this tweet
Alpine were surprised when Alonso told them he was leaving for Aston Martin in 2023, but moved quickly to announce that Piastri would drive for them. However, the press release did not contain a quote from Piastri… It has since emerged that prior to this announcement, Piastri and his management team had told Alpine on two previous occasions that he would not be riding for them next year, which is why Piastri was so disappointed with the way it was handled . “My decision was made much earlier [of Alonso’s departure], which made Alpine’s announcement probably even more confusing and upsetting because we had told the team I wasn’t going to continue,” he said. “It was quite upsetting as the announcement was false and it also deprived me of the opportunity to properly say goodbye to everyone at Enstone. WATCH: Wins, overtakes and two titles in a row – Oscar Piastri’s career highlights so far “I’ve been with the team for just over two and a half years now, and for the rest of the team to find out I was leaving in this way was very upsetting. I still haven’t had a chance to say goodbye and it’s something I want to do to show my gratitude to all the men and women at Enstone.” Sfaznauer previously said he went to talk to Piastri while he was in the simulator to tell him the announcement was being made. He said Piastri “smiled and was grateful”. This feature is currently not available because you must consent to functional cookies. Update your cookie preferences This tweet has been removed from Twitter Asked to recall his memory of the encounter, Piastri said: “It was a strange and frankly upsetting episode. It was done publicly in front of some team members who were unaware of the situation and I didn’t want to cause a scene in front of them. Once we were in private, I told Ottmar what our position was and what he had been told many times before. It was very surprising for me to make this announcement.” Soon after its release, Piastri responded on Twitter. “I understand that, without my consent, Alpine F1 issued a press release late this afternoon that I will be driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not ride for Alpine next year.” It was a clear statement of his position. Piastri explained that he felt he had to respond because the release “was false.” He added: “It was the biggest moment of my career and probably my life so far. Being falsely reported was something my management and I felt we needed to correct and there were also potential legal ramifications if we didn’t deny the report. It was not meant to be a highlight or in any way more than factual. The last line was quite strong, but with the CRB’s decision, it shows that it was clearly a fact.” Piastri looking forward to pitting himself against Lando Norris in 2023
Piastri for… the attractiveness of McLaren’s work
On Friday, ahead of second practice for the Dutch Grand Prix, the CRB revealed its decision, which then allowed McLaren to announce that Piastri would join the team on a multi-year deal starting in 2023. Racing alongside Lando Norris, competing in his fourth season with the team, McLaren will have one of the youngest but most exciting teams on the Formula 1 grid. It has been a more challenging season this time around, with the Woking-based outfit sitting fifth in the constructors’ championship and facing an uphill battle to beat Alpine to retain fourth place in the standings for the second year in a row. But with the team investing heavily in its infrastructure – including a new wind tunnel due to be completed by the end of the season – McLaren continues to lay the building blocks for a sustained period of success. READ MORE: Alonso says ‘strange feeling’ of protracted Alps negotiations contributed to Aston switch shock “Their excitement to have me was very…
