Australian Oscar Piastri will drive for Formula One team McLaren rather than Alpine next year, motor racing’s governing body, the International Drivers’ Federation (FIA), announced on Friday. The 21-year-old has been caught up in a fight between Alpine and McLaren with the former claiming that Piastri had a driving contract for them and even announcing he was part of their 2023 squad . Piastri embarrassed them hours later when he said he had no such arrangement with them.
However, an FIA arbitration panel ruled in McLaren’s favor.
Piastri will replace compatriot Daniel Ricciardo on the team after he agreed to a one-year early contract termination last week.
Piastri said in a statement McLaren on their website: “I am extremely excited to make my F1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I am grateful for the opportunity presented to me.”
“The team has a long tradition of giving young talent opportunities, and I look forward to working hard with Lando (Norris) to push the team forward.”
McLaren is delighted with the result and won the F2 championship in 2021.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said: “Oscar is one of the promising talents to make it through the feeder series into F1 and we are delighted to see him join the team in 2023.
“Winning both F3 and F2 in consecutive rookie seasons is a real achievement and a testament to his talent for single-seat racing.
“At Lando and Oscar, we have a young, exciting F1 squad with loads of potential, giving us a good chance to achieve our future ambitions.”
Alpine made a curt statement.
“The Alpine F1 team thanks the Contract Recognition Board (CRB) for convening on Monday and we acknowledge the decision they have taken,” read the statement.
“We consider the matter closed and will notify our full fleet of 2023 drivers in due course.
“Our immediate focus is on the Dutch Grand Prix and winning points in the fight for fourth place in the Creators Championship.”
The dispute began after Aston Martin recruited two-time champion Fernando Alonso from Alpine to succeed retired four-time champion Sebastian Vettel next season.
Promote
When it was discovered that Alonso intended to leave, Alpine announced that they were promoting Piastri, but he countered by saying that he had not signed a contract.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the syndication feed.)
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