F1 News

Piastri extends contract 'smooth as ever', Alpine reacts

Piastri provokes Alpine after 'stress-free contract announcement' McLaren

20 September 2023 at 14:45
Last update 20 September 2023 at 16:57
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  • GPblog.com

Oscar Piastri has extended his contract with McLaren for a seat in Formula 1 through 2026. The Australian is already showing great things in his debut year in F1, which made the contract negotiations very easy. The Australian is provoking his former employer, Alpine, playfully on X.

In 2022, Piastri was snatched away by McLaren the moment his contract from Alpine's junior team expired. Fernando Alonso also left and Alpine was left with a problem, it had no line-up for 2023. A heated battle ensued between Alpine and McLaren, with Alpine saying Piastri had been unlawfully removed from the team. Added to this was the fact that McLaren did not actually have a place for the young talent at all either, and therefore sidelined routine driver Daniel Ricciardo.

Piastri playfully provokes Alpine

It was the soap opera of 2022 starring Piastri. With the rookie proving himself in Formula 1 in 2023 despite the pressure on him, it was probably not a difficult decision for McLaren to extend the contract. It is also a valuable move for Piastri.

That Alpine and Piastri have meanwhile buried the hatchet, the two parties playfully have made playfully clear once again. The Australian posted a provocative message on X. Piastri: '"Stress-free contract announcement as always. " Alpine realised they were being addressed and responded wittily. See the interlude below.