Alpine have announced that Oscar Piastri will race for the team in 2023 F1 season.
Ocon was already confirmed to retain his seat after he signed a new three-season contract in June 2021 but Piastri will replace Fernando Alonso following confirmation of the Spaniard’s departure to Aston Martin.
Speaking about the decision to promote Piastri from his current Reserve Driver role, Team Principal – Otmar Szafnauer described the 21 year-old Melbourne-born Australian as “a bright and rare talent.”
This announcement also means that Piastri is the first driver to graduate directly through Alpine’s academy into the main race team, following their rebrand last season from Renault Sport Academy.
Reflecting on Piastri’s successful graduation after winning 2020 F3 and 2021 F2 titles before he was forced to spend this season on the sidelines, Szafnauer said: “We are proud to have nurtured and supported him through the difficult pathways of the junior formulae.
“Through our collaboration over the past four years, we have seen him develop and mature into a driver who is more than capable of taking the step up to Formula 1.”
Szafnauer also spoke about the importance of Piastri’s season on the sidelines and the transition into the race seat, as he added: “As our reserve driver he has been exposed to the team at the track, factory and testing where he has shown the maturity, promise and speed to ensure his promotion to our second seat alongside Esteban.
“Together, we believe the duo will give us the continuity we need to achieve our long-term goal of challenging for wins and championships.”
Alpine’s press release didn’t include any quotes from Piastri who responded to this announcement via Twitter, in which he stated that Alpine are ‘wrong’ and iterated that he ‘will not be driving for Alpine next year.’
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 (@OscarPiastri) August 2, 2022
Piastri’s response also comes hours after Szafnauer confirmed to the media that there were legal issues surrounding him replacing Alonso next season, mainly in part due to Piastri and his manager – Mark Webber having reportedly been in unconfirmed discussions with McLaren.
The Australian began his single-seater career in 2016-17 F4 UAE before going on to race in British F4 plus Formula Renault NEC and Eurocup competitions, of which he won the latter in 2019 followed by F3 and F2 titles in the following two seasons.
Piastri as things currently stands is the 15th driver to confirm his place on the grid next season, leaving single vacant positions at Alfa Romeo, AlphaTauri and Haas plus two unfilled seats at Williams to be finalised over the coming months.
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