It's Been Officially Announced That BWT Alpine Replaces Alonso In 2023 F1, Piastri: I Haven't Signed A Contract Yet

Oscar Piastri denies racing for BWT Alpine for F1 2023. (Photo: Instagram @alpinef1team)

JAKARTA - BWT Alpine has announced a replacement for Fernando Alonso who left for Aston Martin from Formula 1 (F1) 2023. The choice fell to their reserve driver, Oscar Piastri.

An official announcement has also been made by Alpine through the team's social media account. However, drama then ensued.

Piastri denied he would become an Alpine driver in F1 2023. He admitted that he had not signed any contract.

"I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 has issued a release that I will be racing for them next year," Piastri said as quoted by Antara via Reuters.

"This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be racing for Alpine next year," he continued.

A number of media reported that the 21-year-old racer had already signed a pre-contract with McLaren. This is what makes the driver managed by F1 legend Mark Webber, refusing to occupy the Alpine seat.

Regarding this, Alpine boss Ostmar Szafnauer spoke up. He explained why his team was so confident in announcing Piastri as their driver for F1 2023.

"We do have a legal contract with him into the future for the age of 23, and if the option is taken, it continues for 24," he said.

"I don't know what he has done with McLaren... I don't know that," continued the Alpine F1 boss.

This noise is believed to make F1 operators intervene. There is a board that was formed to resolve contract disputes between teams and drivers.

Alpine himself was very confident in their decision with the announcement. "We believe we are legally correct in our statement," the F1 team said in a statement.