McLaren officially confirm Oscar Piastri signing on multi-year contract

Henry Valantine
Alpine reserve Oscar Piastri in front of the Australian flag. Australia, April 2022.

Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri pictured with the flag of his native Australia in the background. Australia, April 2022.

McLaren have confirmed the signing of Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri on a multi-year deal, with Formula 1’s Contract Recognition Board ruling in the team’s favour over Alpine.

Piastri’s future has been under the spotlight for weeks after he claimed he would not be driving for Alpine in 2023, the team having announced he would replace Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso at the end of this season.

The case surrounding the 21-year-old then moved on to Formula 1’s Contract Recognitions Board as Alpine and McLaren competed to confirm his signature, and the CRB ruled in McLaren’s favour as the only valid contract available to him for 2023 and 2024.

McLaren and Alpine then immediately confirmed the news after the CRB’s ruling came through, with Alpine saying the matter is now closed from their side and the team’s junior driver will no longer form a part of their plans.

The CRB also confirmed the contract signed between Piastri and McLaren had been signed on Monday July 4, the day after the British Grand Prix, with confirmation of Daniel Ricciardo’s departure not issued until more than seven weeks later.

But with McLaren’s line-up having finally been confirmed, the young Australian is ready to get going for his rookie season in 2023.

Piastri said: “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 offered to me.

“The team have a long tradition of giving young talent a chance and I’m looking forward to working hard alongside Lando [Norris] 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.”

McLaren CEO Zak Brown added: “The entire team are delighted to welcome Oscar to McLaren for the 2023 F1 season. He has an impressive racing career to date and we are sure 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 remain 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.”