Oscar Piastri has opened up about the turbulent period surrounding his disputed contract with Alpine, shedding new light on how the events of 2022 affected his early Formula 1 journey. The Oscar Piastri Alpine contract saga spanned months, involving public confusion, a high-profile team switch, and ultimately, intervention from the FIA’s Contract Recognition Board.
Piastri’s Unexpected F1 Debut Turmoil at Alpine
Oscar Piastri, one of the most celebrated rising stars in motorsport, found himself at the center of controversy when Alpine prematurely named him as their 2023 Formula 1 driver. Piastri, who had spent the entire 2022 season as the French team’s reserve driver, was quick to publicly dispute their announcement, stating he had not agreed to race for Alpine.
Piastri’s rapid success in junior categories—including rookie championship victories in both F3 and F2, putting him in a league with Charles Leclerc and George Russell—made him a target for multiple teams. The situation intensified as Fernando Alonso opted to leave Alpine for Aston Martin. In the aftermath, Alpine’s move to appoint Piastri sparked a media firestorm, especially since reports indicated he had already committed to joining McLaren for the following season.
The CRB’s Crucial Decision and Piastri’s Perspective
The unfolding controversy forced the matter to the FIA’s Contract Recognition Board (CRB), which was tasked with settling the contractual tangle between Alpine and McLaren. Ultimately, the CRB ruled in favor of McLaren, securing Piastri’s future with the British team.
Piastri has now reflected on how overwhelming and stressful the public nature of the ordeal was for him, especially as it played out in front of F1 fans and stakeholders worldwide. Speaking on the Off the Grid program, he shared insights into his reasoning and the emotional toll of the situation:
“I kind of knew that it was going to be a pretty big story, There were reasons for doing that, it wasn’t just me going out of my ways to announce to the world that I’m not racing. I mean, I certainly look back on it now with some laughs. Definitely at the time, it wasn’t so funny. It obviously went to the CRB. Things were in my favour, but that was another pretty tense moment.”
– Oscar Piastri, Off the Grid
The Difficult Year as Reserve Driver
For much of 2022, despite Alpine’s significant investment in his development, Piastri was confined to the sidelines as a reserve driver, unable to compete alongside established F1 drivers like Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso. This was a challenging reality for the Australian, whose recent dominance in the junior championships had heightened expectations of an immediate race seat.
Piastri explained how being removed from direct competition had both challenged and taught him, but it was ultimately an unfulfilling experience compared to racing full-time.
“It was certainly a tough time, Naturally, as a racing driver, you want to go racing. That year, not racing was tough, definitely. It did allow me to view some things from the outside a little bit easier: being part of a weekend, understanding what media commitments are going to be like, what the sponsor commitments are going to be like, just the general rhythm of the season. I learned a few things about that, but it was a tough time.”
– Oscar Piastri
An Eventful Move and Its Aftermath
Piastri’s decision to leave Alpine and join McLaren is now regarded as a pivotal moment, not just in his own career but in recent Formula 1 history. The move to Woking paid off handsomely, as McLaren went on to achieve two consecutive constructors’ titles in the seasons that followed, while Alpine struggled to claim race victories during the same period. Piastri, now firmly established as a McLaren driver, is focused on competing for the 2025 championship and possibly aiming for victory in 2026.
The entire incident stands as a cautionary tale for both teams and young drivers navigating the complex world of modern F1 contracts. It underlines the significance of clarity and timing in team announcements, as well as the risks inherent in high-stakes negotiations involving global motorsport organizations such as the FIA and the CRB.
As the new season continues, Oscar Piastri’s experience with Alpine, McLaren, and the Contract Recognition Board remains a defining chapter in his career, shaping his approach to both competition and managing the pressures of the world’s premier racing championship.
