Oscar Piastri reflects on controversial Alpine F1 contract saga

Key Highlights

• I learned a few things about that, but it was a tough time. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I always kind of took pride in the fact that I was doing everything that I could, and I was always confident that something would come up.”Something – several things – did.
• The Enstone-based team was facing a conundrum with three quality drivers for two seats, as Piastri was an obvious contender alongside incumbents Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon. Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Oscar Piastri, AlpineFernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Oscar Piastri, AlpineAlpine considered loaning Piastri out to Williams until it emerged that Alonso would be moving to Aston Martin.
• The outfit then announced its protege’s promotion to a race seat, which the youngster stiffly denied. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“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,” he wrote.
• “This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023.
• I will not be driving for Alpine next year.”It turned out that Piastri had already signed a contract with McLaren, and the FIA’s Contract Recognition Board ruled in the papaya team's favour.“I kind of knew that it was going to be a pretty big story,” he smiled.