F1's CRB meets over Piastri future dispute

The Formula One contract dispute surrounding Australian racer Oscar Piastri was heard by the governing FIA’s Contract Recognition Board (CRB) on Monday but the body may not offer an immediate ruling clarifying the 21-year-old’s future.

Piastri, reserve driver for French manufacturer Alpine, was announced by the Enstone-based team this month as replacement for Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso.But Piastri, understood to have signed a contract with McLaren, said he won’t be racing for the team that has supported his junior career and, until Alonso’s departure, was set to give him his Formula One debut with Williams next season.McLaren have created a vacancy for next season by ending Daniel Ricciardo’s contract one year early.  With both teams staking their claims to the highly-rated youngster, the CRB will decide which is valid.But set up to swiftly settle contract disputes, the body could take up to three days, the maximum time granted, to issue its verdict. Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer told reporters at the Belgian Grand Prix he was confident of the merits of the team’s claims. "I don't know when they'll rule," Szafnauer said. "It will be soon thereafter, and then, once we have all the information in front of us, we'll start looking at who will fill the open seat."Alpine, fourth in the overall standings, could have a number of drivers in the frame should they need to replace Piastri. Frenchman Pierre Gasly, who was confirmed for 2023 by Red Bull sister team AlphaTauri this year, has emerged as a candidate for the Alpine drive, according to Motorsport.com.The team’s current driver Esteban Ocon, meanwhile, said at the Belgian Grand Prix that he has told management to consider his friend and current Haas driver Mick