McLaren confirm Piastri for F1 2023 after winning dispute with Alpine

 

 

After Alpine’s appeal to the Formula 1 contract recognition board was denied, Australian Oscar Piastri will drive for McLaren the following season.

 

After Piastri rejected their claim that he was committed to them, Alpine filed a lawsuit with the board, a group of lawyers established to resolve contract issues.

 

The CRB said: “The only contract to be recognised is the contact between McLaren and Piastri dated 4 July 2022. Piastri is entitled to drive for McLaren for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.”

Alpine said they “acknowledged the decision”, adding: “We consider the matter closed on our side and will announce our full 2023 driver line-up in due course.”

Piastri, the reigning Formula 2 champion who has been Alpine’s reserve driver this year, said: “I’m extremely excited to be making my F1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that’s been offered to me.

“The team has a long tradition of giving young talent a chance, and I’m looking forward to working hard alongside Lando [Norris] to push the team towards the front of the grid.

“I’m focused on preparing for my F1 debut in 2023 and starting my F1 career in papaya.”

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl said: “Oscar has an impressive racing career to date, and we are sure that together with Lando, he will be able to help us move another step forward towards our ambitions.”

Fernando Alonso’s decision to go from Alpine to Aston Martin for 2023 marked the end of an extraordinary few weeks.

 

Alonso and Piastri were being shuffled by Alpine, who gave the two-time champion a one-year contract to remain with the team in 2023 while attempting to send Piastri to Williams for experience.