Oscar Piastri Can Now Laugh About Alpine Contract Saga

Oscar Piastri can now look back on the dramatic contract dispute with Alpine from 2022 with a sense of humor, a stark contrast to the tension he felt at the time. The saga, which saw Alpine announce him as their driver before he publicly denied any agreement, ultimately led to a Contract Recognition Board (CRB) ruling in favor of McLaren, the team he has since won nine Grands Prix with.

Why it matters:

Piastri's decision to reject Alpine and force a move to McLaren was a pivotal moment that shaped the current F1 landscape. It not only secured his seat in a top-tier team but also demonstrated the power a driver can wield when navigating complex contract negotiations, setting a precedent for how young talent can manage their career trajectory against team expectations.

The details:

• The Announcement: After Fernando Alonso announced his move to Aston Martin, Alpine released a press release stating Piastri would replace him for the 2023 season.
• The Rejection: Piastri quickly responded with a now-iconic tweet, stating, "I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year."
• CRB Ruling: The dispute escalated to the F1's Contract Recognition Board, which ultimately ruled that Piastri had a valid contract with McLaren, not Alpine.
• Piastri's Reflection: Looking back, Piastri admits the situation was "tense" but can now find humor in it. "I certainly look back on it now with some laughs. Definitely at the time, it wasn't so funny," he said.
• Pressure at McLaren: The move brought immense pressure, as Piastri went from being a reserve driver to competing against legends like Lewis Hamilton. "It's hard to kind of feel that you fit in at that point," he recalled.

What's next:

Piastri's gamble has paid off spectacularly. He has established himself as one of F1's elite drivers, leading the championship for much of the 2025 season and signing a contract extension with McLaren that keeps him at the team until at least the end of 2028. The Alpine saga is now just a footnote in a rapidly ascending career.