Zak Brown calls for early release from Alpine contract for Oscar Piastri

Zak Brown has called on Alpine to release Oscar Piastri early from his contract with them so he can start getting to know the McLaren team ahead of driving for them in 2023.

It was announced yesterday that McLaren had won the CRB hearing and that Piastri would be driving for them in 2023.

However, he remains on Alpine’s books until the end of this season and is even working in their sim back in the factory this very weekend to help them prepare for the challenges of the Dutch Grand Prix.

With the move to McLaren confirmed now, though, Zak Brown has suggested it might make sense if Alpine let him leave the team early so he can start getting used to his new surroundings:

“My personal opinion? You’ve got to let drivers move on, and drive their race cars.

“Not just drivers, but employees.

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“People must want to be with their team, and vice versa, to have a productive environment.

“So, if it was me? And I am biased, but I’d say: ‘Go and have some fun with your new team’.

“But it’s ultimately their decision.”

It’s certainly a decision that Alpine need to make as it is surely going to be a little odd for all involved if Piastri stays there for the rest of the year given what has happened.

That is up to the French/British team, though, and they will make their decision based on what they think is best for the team and their chances this year.