Oscar Piastri has opened up on his dramatic switch from Alpine to McLaren, labelling the handling of his exit “bizarre” and “upsetting”.
Piastri was speaking to Formula 1’s official website after it was confirmed on Saturday that he would be taking fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo’s vacant seat at McLaren.
The 21-year-old had been caught up in a fight between Alpine and McLaren with the former claiming Piastri had a contract to drive for them and even announcing him as part of their 2023 line-up.
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Piastri forced them into an embarrassing u-turn hours afterwards when he said he had no such arrangement with them.
While saying he “really enjoyed” his time with Alpine, Piastri also revealed a “breakdown in trust” contributed to his decision to switch to McLaren ahead of next season.
“The CRB ruling has confirmed I didn’t have a contract for the 2023 season [with Alpine],” he told Formula1.com.
“I was free to choose my destiny – and I felt McLaren was a great opportunity. They were very straightforward and very keen and enthusiastic to have me. To be completely honest, there was a lack of clarity around my future at the team at Alpine.
“They publicly stated they wished to continue with Fernando for at least one or two more years. I respect that. But after spending the year out, my hopes were firmly set on an Alpine seat and the lack of clarity and, similarly to Fernando, a bit of a strange feeling in negotiations, it didn’t feel like it was the right decision for me [to stay around].
“The lack of clarity around my future, and ultimately a breakdown in trust, I felt the very attractive offer of McLaren and the positive dealings with them thus far were all reasons why I felt McLaren was where I was best off for the future.”
Piastri also said that his decision not to race for Alpine in 2023 was made “well in advance” of Fernando Alonso announcing his departure, which made the situation even more “upsetting” and “confusing”.
“It was quite upsetting as the announcement was false and it also denied me the opportunity to properly say goodbye to everyone at Enstone,” he added.
“I had been with team for a bit over two and a half years now, and for the rest of the team to find out I was leaving in that manner was very upsetting. I still haven’t had the opportunity to say goodbye and it’s something I want to do to show my gratitude to all the men and women at Enstone.”
Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer claimed he had told Piastri of the team’s announcement for 2023 while he was on the team’s simulator and that the Australian “smiled and was thankful”.
Piastri though again did not agree with that version of events.
“That was a bizarre and frankly upsetting episode,” he said.
“It was done publicly in front of some members of the team who were oblivious to the situation and I didn’t want to cause a scene in front of them. Once we were in private, I told Otmar what our position was and what he had been told multiple times before that. It was very surprising to me to make that announcement.”
Piastri was then forced to take to Twitter to deny Alpine’s press release claiming that he had signed on for 2023, something he simply felt he had to do in the circumstances.
“It was the biggest moment of my career and probably my life up to now,” he said.
“To have that falsely announced was something my management and I felt we had to correct and there was also potential legal implications if we didn’t deny the announcement. It was not intended to be pointed or in any way anything more than factual. The last line was quite a strong one, but with the CRB ruling, it shows it was purely a fact.”
While Piastri said it was “unfortunate” to be replacing countryman Ricciardo, he added it was simply too good an opportunity to pass up.
“I don’t get to choose which driver I replace,” he said.
“I can’t not take an opportunity because the previous driver in that seat was Daniel. McLaren were extremely keen to have me onboard and it was an opportunity that was too good to refuse.”
