Oscar Piastri explains ‘lack of clarity’ from Alpine led to 2023 McLaren move

Oscar Piastri has explained how Alpine’s “lack of clarity” resulted in his successful move to McLaren in 2023.

Last weekend, Formula 1’s Contract Recognition Board (CRB) unanimously decided that the Australian had a valid contract with the Woking-based team for the next two years, despite Alpine insisting he signed a legal contract last November.

However, it has since emerged that Piastri’s deal with Alpine was only a Heads of Terms, not a binding contract, and only covered 2022.

The team did intend for the F2 champion to sign a contract that would place him at Williams for potentially the next three years, but instead, Piastri and manager Mark Webber went to McLaren and made their two-year deal there.

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Commenting after the CRB ruled in McLaren’s favour the team said: “In terms of the Contract Recognition Board, to be honest for us, that was never a case.

“Oscar and his management were very transparent with us throughout the entire process and from what we knew and what we had signed, we were very confident this was going to be the outcome.

“I guess it is better to ask the other party involved why they thought they had a case and therefore, this is not really any surprise for us.”

Team boss Andreas Seidl also criticised Alpine counterpart Otmar Szafnauer who in the past month has questioned both Piastri’s “loyalty” and “integrity”.

“I think some of these comments were therefore also inappropriate, not fair and just not respecting what was happening,” he said.

“If I just look at myself in such a situation if I only know what happened from one side I try to stay away from making comments on it, and I think that’s also important to mention also in order to protect Oscar.”

Speaking to Formula1.com, Piastri then gave his side of the story.

“The CRB ruling has confirmed I didn’t have a contract for the 2023 season [with Alpine],” he stated. “I was free to choose my destiny – and I felt McLaren was a great opportunity.

“They were very straightforward and very keen and enthusiastic to have me. To be completely honest, there was a lack of clarity around my future at Alpine.

“They publicly stated they wished to continue with Fernando [Alonso] for at least one or two more years. I respect that.

“But after spending the year out, my hopes were firmly set on an Alpine seat and the lack of clarity and, similarly to Fernando, a bit of a strange feeling in negotiations, it didn’t feel like it was the right decision for me [to stay].

“The lack of clarity around my future, and ultimately a breakdown in trust, I felt the very attractive offer of McLaren and the positive dealings with them thus far were all reasons why I felt McLaren was where I was best off for the future.”

Piastri though would thank Alpine for their support during his career to date.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with Alpine,” he said.

“I joined the Academy off the back of winning the Formula Renault championship in 2019 as part of the prize for winning the championship, and enjoyed two incredibly successful years as part of the Academy with two further championships so I have nothing but respect for all the team at Enstone.

“It was a good testing programme that we came up with Alpine in place of not having a seat for this year.”