The FIA’s CRB has announced that the contract with McLaren Oscar Piastri had agreed stands over any from Alpine, and the Woking team has now confirmed Piastri will drive alongside Lando Norris for next year. The young Aussie has been at the heart of quite the saga, with him taking to social media to say he would not drive for Alpine on the back of the team saying that he’d been promoted to replace Fernando Alonso for 2023.
Indeed, both teams felt as though they had an agreement in place for Piastri for next season and so the FIA’s Contract Recognition Board was needed, with them meeting earlier this week to see which contract would take precedence over the other.
They’ve announced that it’s McLaren that have won the case, too, with Alpine saying that they ‘consider the matter closed,’ rather counting out the chances of an appeal. “I’m extremely excited to be making my F1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren,” said Piastri. “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 to push the team towards the front of the grid.