Oscar Piastri has opened up about the highly publicized contract battle between Alpine and McLaren that shaped his Formula 1 career, sharing that he can now find humor in the saga after several intense and tense years. The Oscar Piastri Alpine McLaren saga was one of the sport’s biggest stories when it unfolded, but time has given the Australian driver a new perspective on it.
Piastri was regarded as one of the most promising young drivers on the grid thanks to his junior championship wins, which included titles in Formula Renault Eurocup, Formula 3, and Formula 2, all achieved in consecutive seasons. Despite his growing reputation, Piastri did not obtain a race seat for the 2022 season. Instead, he entered Formula 1 as Alpine’s reserve driver, ready to step up if the opportunity arose.
The situation became more complicated when Fernando Alonso announced his decision to leave Alpine for Aston Martin. Alpine quickly confirmed Piastri as Alonso’s replacement through an official press release. However, the driver himself soon contradicted that announcement, posting a now-famous statement on social media:
“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, Driver
Resolution Through the Contract Recognition Board
While Alpine continued to insist that their contract with Piastri was binding, the matter escalated to the Contract Recognition Board (CRB). The CRB’s decision was in favor of McLaren, and as a result, Piastri joined McLaren for the following season. His move to McLaren paid off: Piastri went on to win nine grands prix with the team and became a key contender for the Drivers’ Championship throughout much of the 2025 season.
Reflecting on the dramatic episode during Formula 1’s ‘Off The Grid’ series, Piastri acknowledged the immense pressure and intensity of the moment:
“There was obviously a lot of noise around what was going on,”
—Oscar Piastri, Driver
He admitted that he understood the story would attract major attention and insisted there were clear motivations behind his decisions, beyond simply making headlines. While he can now look back and joke about what happened, he admits the situation was genuinely stressful at the time. Discussing the resolution of the dispute, Piastri recalled how the formal process added to the unease:
“It obviously went to the CRB. Things were in my favour, but that was another pretty tense moment.”
—Oscar Piastri, Driver
Piastri’s Perspective After the Move to McLaren
Piastri ultimately obtained what he was seeking: a seat with McLaren, which quickly became one of the most sought-after positions in Formula 1. Remembering the moment he signed with his new team, Piastri described the experience as both exhilarating and daunting, noting a sense that previous achievements were suddenly less relevant given the pressures of the F1 grid.
He highlighted the weight of expectation that came from both the saga itself and the reality of competing alongside some of the sport’s leading figures, including Lewis Hamilton. The adjustment was not easy, as he explained:
“It’s hard to kind of feel that you fit in at that point.”
—Oscar Piastri, Driver
Over time, Piastri succeeded in establishing himself as a key driver for McLaren. His performances and maturity led to a new multi-year contract extension, signed in March 2025, securing his place at the team through at least the end of 2028.
The Importance and Impact of the Alpine-McLaren Saga
The Oscar Piastri Alpine McLaren saga marked a rare moment in Formula 1 where a young driver’s career and future dominated headlines and legal proceedings. The involvement of key figures like Fernando Alonso, the scrutiny of the Contract Recognition Board, and McLaren’s faith in Piastri demonstrate the high stakes and intense competition present behind the scenes in the sport. The ordeal tested Piastri’s resilience and has since become a defining chapter in his story, influencing how drivers and teams approach contracts and public announcements.
With his place now firmly set at McLaren and his ability to reflect on past events with a mix of wisdom and humor, Piastri continues to be recognized as one of the grid’s top talents. As the F1 paddock moves forward, the lessons from the Alpine-McLaren tug of war will likely inform how both teams and drivers navigate similar situations in the evolving landscape of Formula 1.
