Oscar Piastri has denied signing a contract at Alpine and insists he will not drive for the team in 2023.
The Australian was officially announced by the Enstone-based team as Fernando Alonso’s replacement for next season on Tuesday.
However, the statement from Alpine did not include a quote from Piastri, as would be expected, and it was noted how the wording related to similar comments made by team boss Otmar Szafnauer earlier in the day, claiming the 21-year-old had a “legal contract” for next year.
This comes as speculation claims the current F2 champion, via his manager Mark Webber, has a pre-agreement to race at McLaren next season, taking the seat of Daniel Ricciardo.
And now Piastri has spoken out, making clear was not involved in Alpine’s decision to confirm him as a race driver for 2023.
I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) August 2, 2022
More to follow…
