Last Updated: 02/08/22 7:51 PM Oscar Piastri has denied Alpine’s claim that he has been signed for Formula One 2023 and insists – in a dramatic turnaround in the sport’s ‘silly season’ transfer window – that he will drive elsewhere. Alpin had said that Piastri, who is currently their reserve driver, had been promoted to replace Fernando Alonso. The press release did not quote Piastri, fueling talk that the highly-rated Australian had not been consulted. Hours later on Tuesday night, Piastri took to social media to say that Alpine did not have his permission to confirm his signing and, incredibly, that he would not be driving for the career-defining French outfit. Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you cannot view these Privacy Options
“I understand that, without my consent, Alpine F1 issued a press release late this afternoon that I will be driving for them next year,” Piastri said. “This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not ride for Alpine next year.” There is strong speculation that Piastri will instead drive for McLaren for 2023, with the Woking team having made contact with the 21-year-old before Alpine knew he had a seat available. Alpine, however, believe Piastri is contractually obligated to ride for them next year. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Former F1 driver Felipe Massa has been surprised by Fernando Alonso’s “strange” decision to join Aston Martin next season.
Former F1 driver Felipe Massa has been surprised by Fernando Alonso’s “strange” decision to join Aston Martin next season. Sky Sports News has been told that the deadline for Piastri’s clause to be activated and confirmed as an Alpine driver expired two days ago on July 31 – but this has not been confirmed by Alpine. Williams and McLaren have been interested in Piastri if the conditions were right, but only the former can currently make a move for him – with Nicholas Latifi’s deal yet to be renewed.

Why Piastri Rejected Alpine, Now What?

When Alonso’s surprise move to Aston Martin was confirmed on Monday, Alpine quickly turned its attention to Piastri – although earlier on Tuesday morning team boss Otmar Szafnauer admitted no deal had been reached. Soon after, Alpine’s announcement stated that Piastri would drive for them from ‘2023 onwards’ to work with Esteban Ocon. But Piastri has other plans and his bombshell represented a remarkable turn of events in the driver’s market. Piastri has been a member of Renault’s youth academy for four years, during which he won both the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles, following in the illustrious footsteps of Charles Leclerc and George Russell. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Martin Brundle is joined by F2 champion Oscar Piastri on track at Turn 10 to discuss his role as Alpine reserve driver
Martin Brundle is joined by F2 champion Oscar Piastri on track at Turn 10 to discuss his role as Alpine reserve driver He missed out on a place for 2022 and instead became Alpine’s reserve driver, although his reputation is such that he appears to have several teams vying for his signature without ever having raced in F1. Williams are in the hunt, while if Piastri makes the switch to McLaren, it would put Daniel Ricciardo’s future in huge doubt. Ricciardo has underperformed since joining McLaren in 2021 and, while he insists he will see out his contract at the end of 2023, McLaren has hinted he has “options” to leave early. If Ricciardo were indeed to lose his seat, he could make an unexpected return to the Renault family. Ricciardo joined McLaren from Renault, before the team took the name of the specialist sub-brand Alpine.