At the end of the market telenovela that has held court throughout the month of August there are winners and losers, and in this particular case the dividing line is very pronounced.
The management of the Alpine emerged badly from this story, appearing annoyed in some phases, disappointed in others (by Piastri’s ingratitude) but in reality taken aback by a lack of contractual and managerial management.
Oscar Piastri, will be McLaren driver in 2023
Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
The rumors relating to the affair were confirmed by what was communicated yesterday by the Contract Recognition Board, which clearly recognized the validity of the agreement signed by Piastri with McLaren.
“A court appointed by the Contract Recognition Board held a meeting on 29 August 2022 in which the lawyers of Alpine Racing Limited, McLaren Racing Limited and Oscar Piastri were heard – reads the press release of the CRB – The court issued a unanimous decision according to the which the only contract to be recognized by the Board is the one between McLaren Racing Limited and Mr. Piastri, dated 4 July 2022. Mr. Piastri is authorized to drive for McLaren Racing Limited for the 2023 and 2024 seasons ”.
Two pieces of news emerge from this official statement by the CRB. The first is that Piastri and McLaren have been linked for two years, but above all that the contract was signed on July 4th, the Monday following the Silverstone Grand Prix.
This confirms that Alpine had an option in his favor which would have guaranteed him the presence of Piastri in the team, provided he was offered a contract as a regular driver in Formula 1 by 30 June.
![Laurent Rossi, Alpine F1 CEO, had Piastri taken away from McLaren](https://cdn-4.motorsport.com/images/mgl/6VR1j8n6/s8/laurent-rossi-ceo-alpine-f1-in-1.jpg)
Laurent Rossi, Alpine F1 CEO, had Piastri taken away from McLaren
Photo by: Motorsport Images
As announced at the beginning of this story by Motorsport.com, the Alpine executives, Otmar Szafnauer and Laurent Rossi, believed blindly in the possibility of renewing Fernando Alonso’s contract and did not ask themselves the problem of Piastri, certain to be able to park the Australian in McLaren or Williams for a season.
Paradoxically, it was the Alpine who tested McLaren’s willingness in June to welcome his ‘rookie’ for a season (but always under his control) and then offer him a seat in the team at the end of 2023 considering that he is Alonso that Ocon would have been contractually expiring.
![Mark Webber laughs after the epilogue of the Piastri case](https://cdn-7.motorsport.com/images/mgl/YEQoNX5Y/s8/mark-webber-1.jpg)
Mark Webber laughs after the epilogue of the Piastri case
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
McLaren acted astutely, contacting Piastri’s management directly to see if there was a possibility of being able to agree without going through Alpine, thus acquiring direct control of the driver.
The date of 1 July emerged as the day from which Piastri would have been free from all contractual obligations, the two parties proceeded to sign a two-year contract within a few days.
Alpine did not consider the possibility that Piastri and his manager, Mark Webber, could independently find an alternative solution, considering Daniel Ricciardo’s seat protected by the Australian’s contract which expired at the end of 2023: it was a big mistake .
![Fernando Alonso, Alpine A522: the Spaniard also leaves the Enstrone team for Aston Martin](https://cdn-7.motorsport.com/images/mgl/2y3bpPn6/s8/fernando-alonso-alpine-a522-1.jpg)
Fernando Alonso, Alpine A522: the Spaniard also leaves the Enstrone team for Aston Martin
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
The protracted negotiations with Alonso probably distracted Rossi and Szafnauer, who ignored the expiry date of the option in their favor, running into an oversight that will be remembered for a long time. Everything was further amplified by the insult suffered by Alonso, which made the scenario paradoxical.
“It is clear that a team like ours if they have the opportunity to hire a guy like Oscar will show interest – commented Andreas Seidl – he was a free agent (with no restrictions on the transfer market) that’s why we talked with him, succeeding in a short time to arrive at the signing of the contract “.
“Obviously it is my job together with Zak (Brown) to know each scenario, to be aware of what is happening on the market and to have a clear picture of the contractual situation of all the drivers in the paddock as well as of the young people who play in Formula 2 and other categories. a normal process, our responsibility, and that is what ultimately led to the signing of Oscar Piastri ”.
The closure of the story also leaves behind some question marks. Ricciardo on July 13 (9 days after the signing of Piastri’s contract) through his social channels had said he was calm about the possibility of continuing his relationship with McLaren, while the team speaking yesterday in Zandvoort claimed to have held at the Daniel’s account of every decision made, including Piastri’s signature.
![Daniel Ricciardo dropped by McLaren despite the contract still valid for one year](https://cdn-2.motorsport.com/images/mgl/YN1LV332/s8/daniel-ricciardo-mclaren-1.jpg)
Daniel Ricciardo dropped by McLaren despite the contract still valid for one year
Photo by: Erik Junius
But Ricciardo denies having been informed. It is also not clear whether Piastri’s move to McLaren will allow the Australian driver to be able to take to the track with his new team in the two FP1 sessions scheduled for rookies, or whether he will have to wait until the end of the season to be able to start the first tests.
On the other hand, it is very clear that at Alpine they will have to make a mea-culpa. No measure can be excluded, what has happened would also justify the changes in the top management of the team, which found itself taking a hard blow on the driver training, as well as damage to image.
![Pierre Gasly: the Frenchman will end up at Alpine and will leave AlphaTauri](https://cdn-4.motorsport.com/images/mgl/2wB1OGB0/s8/pierre-gasly-alphatauri-1.jpg)
Pierre Gasly: the Frenchman will end up at Alpine and will leave AlphaTauri
Photo by: Erik Junius
Having set aside funds to finance a driver’s career, as well as to plan a Formula 1 test program, only to find himself giving it up without compensation, it’s a real joke.
To try to recover at least in part the fool, the Alpine will also have to pay compensation to the AlphaTauri (we are talking about several million) to get Gasly, a last step that completes a summer that will be remembered on the Paris-Enstone axis. long.
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