Oscar Piastri Will Drive For McLaren In 2023

Oscar Piastri will drive for McLaren F1 Team in 2023 after Formula 1’s contract recognition board ruled in its favor Sept. 2, McLaren announced.

Piastri was initially announced to Alpine F1 Team’s program last month, an announcement Piastri rejected online, saying he had not signed with the team.

But the CRB’s ruling allows Piastri to sign with a team other than Alpine, and he chose McLaren.

“I’m extremely excited to be making my F1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that’s been offered to me,” Piastri said in a team release. “The team has a long tradition of giving young talent a chance, and I’m looking forward to working hard alongside Lando [Norris] to push the team towards the front of the grid. I’m focused on preparing for my F1 debut in 2023 and starting my F1 career in papaya.”

“The entire team is delighted to welcome Oscar to McLaren for the 2023 F1 season,” McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl added. “He has an impressive racing career to date, and we are sure that together with Lando, he will be able to help us move another step forward towards our ambitions.

“We still have an important job to do this season which the team remains focused on, before we will then ensure Oscar is integrated into the team as quickly as possible and ready for the challenges ahead. We look forward to preparing for an exciting 2023 season together.”

Piastri joins Lando Norris, who has a best finish of third so far this season, at McLaren in 2023. He replaces the departing Daniel Ricciardo, whose best 2022 finish is eighth.

Piastri’s car number has not yet been announced.

Alpine, meanwhile, now has one ride open. Esteban Ocon will also drive for the team next year.

𝗕𝗪𝗧 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝟭 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

BWT Alpine F1 Team thanks the Contract Recognition Board (CRB) for convening on Monday and we acknowledge the decision they have made.

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— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) September 2, 2022

Alpine later tweeted that it “[acknowledged] the decision [the CRB] have made” and “consider the matter closed on our side and will announce our full 2023 driver lineup in due course.”