The FIA’s Contract Recognition Board has ruled against Alpine in the team’s dispute with McLaren over the future of Oscar Piastri.
McLaren reacted immediately to the decision by confirming the reigning Formula 2 champion will make his Formula 1 debut with them next year. The contract between the two was signed on the day after the British Grand Prix two months ago.
After losing Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin for 2023, Alpine announced they would promote their reserve driver Piastri to a race seat for 2023.
However the reigning Formula 2 champion publicly disputed the deal. His manager Mark Webber was understood to have negotiated a move to McLaren for his protege instead.
McLaren subsequently announced Daniel Ricciardo would leave the team at the end of 2022, one year earlier than planned, freeing up a seat alongside Lando Norris.
A tribunal appointed by the CRB met on the Monday after the Belgian Grand Prix to discuss the two teams’ claim to the driver. The tribunal “issued a unanimous decision that the only contract to be recognised by the board is the contract between McLaren Racing Limited and Mr Piastri dated 4th July 2022.”
McLaren announced Piastri has joined them on a “multi-year” deal beginning next year following his departure from Alpine. The CRB acknowledged Piastri is “entitled to drive for McLaren Racing Limited for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.”
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown described Piastri as “one of the up-and-coming talents coming through the feeder series into F1.”
“Winning both F3 and F2 in successive rookie seasons is a real achievement and testament to his talent in single-seater racing,” Brown continued.
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“In Lando and Oscar we have a young, exciting F1 line-up with a huge amount of potential, standing us in good stead to achieve our future ambitions. Oscar is an exciting addition to the McLaren family, and we look forward to seeing him grow with our F1 team.”
Piastri is celebrating the long-awaited news of his F1 debut. “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.
“The team has a long tradition of giving young talent a chance, and I’m looking forward to working hard alongside Lando 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…
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