FIA validates Piastri's new McLaren contract, formally ending Alpine relationship - report

Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri will reportedly replace countryman Daniel Riccardo at McLaren for the 2023 season, according to RacingNews365.com.

On Monday, Aston Martin announced that Fernando Alonso would join them in 2023 from Alpine. Then on Tuesday, Alpine announced the 21-year-old Piastri would be promoted to drive for then in 2023.

But two hours after that Alpine announcement, Piastri released a statement refuting those claims.

READ: OPINION | Alpine dug its own hole... and neither Alonso nor Piastri are to blame

According to RacingNews365.com's Australian sources, Piastri will be driving for McLaren in 2023, having signed a contract. He will be replacing Riccardo and partner Lando Norris in the team.

The RacingNews365 story further states that the FIA have already validated Piastri's new contract with McLaren at the expense of his existing deal with Alpine. Piastri's current deal with Alpine is reportedly only up until the end of 2022, with him having the option to extend it to 2023.

If this is all verified true, then it leaves Ricciardo's future F1 career uncertain. The one option open to him could be to join Alpine as a replacement for the departing Alonso in 2023 if all parties agree.

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