Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri has agreed a deal to race for McLaren in 2023 in place of Daniel Ricciardo, RacingNews365.com has learned.
The Australian’s future has been the subject of much debate this week, with Alpine releasing a statement on Tuesday saying Piastri would replace Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso in the French team next year.
However, in a remarkable turn of events, the 21-year-old released a statement of his own just two hours later refuting claims he would be racing for Team Enstone in 2023.
Piastri was known to be admired by other teams, having been linked with a loan move to Williams, and RacingNews365.com has learned from sources in Australia that Piastri has signed a contract with McLaren that would see him partner Lando Norris and replace compatriot Riccardo. to the Woking team in 2023.
The FIA’s contract recognition board, which checks the validity of all F1 contracts, is said to have validated Piastri’s new contract with McLaren at the expense of his current deal with Alpine.
RacingNews365.com understands that Piastri has a contract with Alpine for 2022, but not for 2023. Their 2022 deal is said to contain an option on Piastri’s services for 2023, but that option was not exercised in the 30 days required from the signing of this contract.
What about Ricciardo?
The FIA’s contract recognition board ruled that there was no valid contract between Alpine and Piastri before 2023, leaving McLaren free to agree a deal with the Australian.
Piastri’s deal with McLaren was said to have been finalized on the night of 30 July, before Fernando Alonso’s move to Aston Martin was confirmed on 1 August.
According to Formula 1 regulations, Alpine cannot challenge the board’s decision, as F1 teams have previously unanimously decided that it is the highest body that can rule on contractual matters.
Piastri’s move leaves Ricciardo’s F1 future up in the air. The Australian’s best bet may be to replace Alonso at Alpine, for whom he drove in 2019 and 2020 in his previous Renault guise.