Oscar Piastri to drive for McLaren in 2023 F1 season
Oscar Piastri will drive for McLaren Racing in 2023 after his contract dispute with Alpine was resolved by the FIA.
Piastri will join Lando Norris on a multi-year contract with the team, replacing Daniel Ricciardo.
“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," said the Australian.
"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 papaya.”
Oscar Piastri will drive for McLaren in 2023 and 2024. (McLaren Racing)
Piastri was the centre of a dispute between Alpine and McLaren after the French team announced his position at the team for next year.
The 21-year-old had been a member of the Alpine Academy after winning the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup title, and had been promised a 2023 drive by the team.
Piastri was seen by many as the next in line for a Formula 1 drive after taking out the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles in successive seasons.
In the chain of events unfolding after Sebastian Vettel's retirement, Fernando Alonso left Alpine for Aston Martin, and Piastri was announced as Alonso's replacement.
Alpine immediately announced Piastri as his replacement, which was denied by the Australian.
It was revealed today that McLaren had signed a contract with Piastri after the British Grand Prix.
The FIA Contract Recognition Board assessed both contracts and found that the McLaren deal was the only valid agreement.
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 4 July 2022”.
“Mr Piastri is entitled to drive for McLaren Racing Limited for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.”
Alpine released a short statement acknowledging the decision.
"We consider the matter closed on our side and will announce our full 2023 driver line-up in due course."
"Our immediate focus is the Dutch Grand Prix and securing points in our fight for fourth in the Constructors’ Championship."
McLaren representatives warmly welcomed Piastri to their team.
“The entire team is delighted to welcome Oscar to McLaren for the 2023 F1 season," said Team Principal Andreas Seidl.
"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.”
“Oscar is one of the up-and-coming talents coming through the feeder series into F1 and we are delighted to see him join the team for 2023," said CEO Zak Brown.
"Winning both F3 and F2 in successive rookie seasons is a real achievement and testament to his talent in single-seater racing."
"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.”
