Oscar Piastri is now officially a McLaren driver for the 2023 season. The Contract Recognition Board (CRB) has so determined and now the Australian driver has broken his silence to clear up the confusion created with Alpine.
The last thing that was missing to talk about the whole mess that has formed around Alpine was Oscar Piastri. Both Fernando Alonso and Otmar Szafnauer, McLaren and Aston Martin had given their respective versions of the events, but the Australian was missing.
And, after confirming his signing by McLaren for the 2023 season, Oscar Piastri has responded to all the questions that remained to be resolved after causing an earthquake on August 2, when he denied the official statement from Alpine that stated that he would be his pilot holder in 2023.
Grateful to Alpine
But first of all, the young Australian driver who next year will be Lando Norris’ teammate at McLaren wanted to show his gratitude to the team he has belonged to for the last three seasons.
“The scene with Szafnauer in the simulator was a strange and downright disturbing episode”
“I really enjoyed my time with Alpine. I enjoyed two incredibly successful years as part of the Academy, so I just have respect for the entire Enstone team.”clarifies Oscar Piastri after what happened in recent weeks.
“And I am very grateful for the tests we have carried out this year.. I take great memories with me, but now I am focusing on my future and starting my career in F1, ”insisted the young man represented by former driver Mark Webber.
Alpine does not clarify with Fernando Alonso
Then, and during a interview granted to the official website of Formula 1Oscar Piastri has pointed out the causes that led him to want to leave Alpine.
“The CRB ruling has confirmed that he did not have a contract for the 2023 season with Alpine. I was free to choose my destiny and I felt that McLaren was a great opportunity. They were very enthusiastic about having me. To be completely honest, there was a lack of clarity about my future at Alpine.”he pointed out in the first place.
Loading tweet…
1565707818606514176
«They publicly declared that they wanted to continue with Fernando for at least one or two more years. I respect that. But after a year away, my hopes were firmly pinned on a seat with Alpine,” she admits.
“The lack of clarity and, like Fernando, a bit of a strange feeling in the negotiations, I didn’t feel like it was the right decision for me to stay. That, a breakdown in trust, and ultimately the very attractive offer from McLaren and the positive dealings with them, made me feel like that was where I would be best going in the future.”
An early decision and communicated to Alpine
But, did Oscar Piastri communicate to Alpine his desire to leave the team? The CRB has confirmed that the Australian signed a valid contract with McLaren on July 4 and McLaren claims that he informed Alpine of the situation.
“I made my decision long before Alonso left.. This made Alpine’s announcement probably even more confusing and upsetting because we had told the team that it wasn’t going to continue. It was quite upsetting because the ad was false and it also denied me the chance to say a proper goodbye to everyone at Enstone,” he explains.
“I had been with the team for a little over two and a half years, and for the rest of the team to know that I was leaving that way was very upsetting.. I haven’t had a chance to say goodbye yet and it’s something I want to do to show my gratitude to all the men and women of Enstone.”
Sfaznauer stated that he went to talk to Piastri while he was in the simulator to tell him the announcement was being made. Alpine’s director claimed that Piastri “smiled and was grateful.” The protagonist explains what happened.
“That was a strange and downright disturbing episode.. He publicly stood up to some members of the team who weren’t aware of the situation and didn’t want to make a scene in front of them. Once we were in private, I told Otmar where we stood and what he had told him several times before that. That announcement was very surprising to me », he insists.
Loading tweet…
1554527452231262210
This was what led Piastri to publish the tweet in which he denied the agreement with Alpine. “It was the most important moment of my career and probably of my life so far. That being falsely advertised was something that my management and I felt we needed to correct. and there were also potential legal implications if we didn’t deny the announcement. It was not intended to be punctual or in any way anything more than factual. The last line was quite strong, but the CRB ruling shows that it is a fact », he concluded.
Be that as it may, the truth is that Alpine has run out of its two best drivers and is now focusing its efforts on a completely French duo with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly for 2023.
Photos: Alpine F1 Team