Piastri shuts down talk of F1 promotion following Alpine announcement

2021 Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri has denied Alpine’s announcement that he will make his F1 debut in 2023.

Following the announcement that Alonso was leaving to join Aston Martin, few doubted that Piastri would be the man to replace him after a year of acting as the team’s test and reserve driver.

Earlier today, the team seemingly confirmed the Australian’s place at Alpine alongside Esteban Ocon for the 2023 season, but included no quotes attributed to Piastri in their press release.

However, hours later, Piastri released a statement saying he will not be driving for the team next year, saying:

“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.”

Piastri won the Formula 2 championship in 2021, before being denied a Formula 1 seat by Zhou Guanyu, who snatched the remaining drive with Alfa Romeo.

Since then, it seems that the squad has been preparing Piastri for a race drive in 2023, with rumoured discussions with Williams about a loan move circulating earlier this year.

Recently, this has changed into talk of Piastri moving to McLaren to partner Lando Norris in place of Daniel Ricciardo, who would subsequently move back to the team he left in 2020.

With Piastri shutting down a move to Enstone next year, a race seat with McLaren could be likely as the team grows frustrated with Ricciardo.

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