End the lingering drama of the season with a clear plan for the future. The current Formula 1 champion is Oscar Piastri, a 21-year-old talent who joined McLaren from the 2023 season onward. In the following year, he formed a high-profile partnership with Lando Norris. McLaren navigated a contentious dispute with Alpine, ultimately winning backing from the FIA Contract Recognition Board, which recognized Piastri as a McLaren driver for the next season and approved the move swiftly.
The Australian driver stepped into a top-tier seat with McLaren, replacing compatriot Daniel Ricciardo, who had signed a separate arrangement with a different team to finish the existing contract. Piastri’s emergence at the front of the grid followed a period of controversy in which Alpine had initially announced a replacement for Fernando Alonso in 2023. Piastri publicly denied those claims through his social media channels, indicating that his debut would come with a different squad, even though he had been developed within Alpine’s junior program.
Alpine maintained that it controlled Piastri’s rights until mid-2024, amid speculation that Alonso might depart to Aston Martin. The French outfit weighed options that could include bringing in further talent or balancing their long-term strategy, with potential moves involving other drivers as part of the broader plans. Piastri’s representative, Mark Webber, acted swiftly to secure a favorable position for his client within McLaren, ensuring a clear path to Formula 1’s elite circles.
The Board heard the case in Geneva last Monday, and the decision, announced on Friday, confirmed that Piastri’s contract with McLaren, dated July 4, 2024, was the board-recognized agreement. This ruling effectively placed Piastri in the McLaren lineup for the 2023 season and beyond, sealing the situation and providing a stable platform for his progression in the sport.
We signed 2021 F2 champions Oscar Piastri.
Oscar joins Lando to build our exciting F1 driver lineup from 2023.
The full story. ⬇️
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 2, 2022
Alpine acknowledged the Contract Recognition Board’s ruling and expressed its intent to close the matter on their side, stating they would announce their roster in due course. The team also indicated a focus on upcoming races and the ongoing battle for fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, highlighting Ricciardo and other potential replacements as part of their strategic considerations for the following year.
“I’m thrilled to begin my F1 journey with a prestigious team like McLaren and grateful for the opportunity”, the newly announced driver said. “The team has a long history of nurturing young talents, and I look forward to working closely with Lando to push the team toward the front of the grid. My focus is on preparing for the season and starting my F1 career strongly.”
McLaren’s leadership welcomed Oscar to the team for the 2023 F1 campaign, emphasizing his impressive racing record to date and confidence that his collaboration with Norris would move the team toward its ambitious goals. The leadership noted that there was still important work to do during the season, ensuring Oscar’s smooth integration into the squad and readiness for the challenges ahead. They expressed optimism about a competitive 2023 season and a strong, united effort to maximize their performance on the track. Andreas Seidl, the team principal, underscored the excitement surrounding the refreshed lineup and the potential for a successful period ahead.
I can’t wait to get started with this new chapter. @McLarenF1
Oscar Piastri later echoed the sentiment, highlighting the significance of joining a team known for promoting young talent and his intention to work hard to help the squad return to the forefront of Formula 1. He referenced the dual victories in junior categories as a sign of his readiness to compete at the highest level and reiterated his commitment to building a strong relationship with Norris as the season unfolded.
Zak Brown, McLaren’s CEO, commented on the signing by praising Piastri’s rising talent and noting the success in consecutive rookie-season achievements across Formula 3 and Formula 2. He emphasized that McLaren’s young lineup, with Norris and Piastri, holds substantial potential and positions the team well for future goals, reinforcing the strategy to cultivate a strong, cohesive driver pairing that could drive the team toward top results.
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