McLaren has announced Oscar Piastri will make his Formula 1 debut for the team in 2023 after the CRB ruled its contract dispute with Alpine in its favour.
The long-running saga has been a major talking point in recent weeks, with both teams gunning to secure Piastri’s services for next year.
Following Fernando Alonso’s move to Aston Martin, Alpine announced Piastri would be promoted to a race seat in 2023.
But the Australian driver commented just hours after the team’s press release that this had been done without his consent and that he wouldn’t in fact be an Alpine driver.
Piastri’s management – which includes ex-F1 driver Mark Webber – held talks with McLaren when Daniel Ricciardo’s future came under intense speculation, with Piastri keen on joining the Woking-based outfit.
Alpine believed it had a valid contract that required Piastri to drive for the team, which resulted in the case been taken to the Contract Recognition Board [CRB] on the Monday after the Belgian Grand Prix.
While both teams presented strong cases, the CRB ruled unanimously in McLaren’s favour, paving way for Piastri to partner Lando Norris on a multi-year deal.
“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 Piastri.
“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.”
It was revealed from the CRB’s ruling that Piastri had signed an agreement to race for McLaren on July 4, initially as a reserve deal before being upgraded to a full-time race seat when Ricciardo’s exit from McLaren was mutually agreed.
The decision leaves Alpine searching for a driver to fill the vacant seat alongside Esteban Ocon, with the Enstone squad now considering its options.
In a brief statement on the matter, Alpine said: “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.”
Piastri will make his F1 debut in the wake of an impressive junior career that saw him win successive titles in F3 and F2 prior to being Alpine’s reserve driver this year.
Commenting on Piastri’s arrival, McLaren CEO Zak Brown said: “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.
“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.”
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