Everything seems to indicate that Oscar Piastri will take Daniel Ricciardo' s place at McLaren from next year. However, Alpine is not prepared to let him go just like that, given the large investments the team has made in its junior driver. Team boss Otmar Szafnauer has already indicated that he is prepared to take legal action. The possible cost: five to ten million dollars.
The case surrounding Piastri's contract will be discussed by the FIA's Contract Recognition Board on Monday. If he is allowed to transfer to McLaren, Alpine is considering suing the driver for the cost of his development programme. These would, according to Auto, Motor und Sport between five and ten million dollars.
Alpine willing to sue Piastri
Alpine actually wanted to hold on to Fernando Alonso for another year, in order to possibly lend Piastri to McLaren before finally bringing him to the Formula 1 team. Alonso didn't want to be kept on a leash though and chose to switch to Aston Martin, where he was offered a multi-year contract. Alpine then chose to announce Piastri as its regular driver in 2023, but the young Australian thought otherwise.
Depending on the outcome, the case may be referred to a civil court. If Piastri is allowed to change teams, Alpine wants to sue for the costs the team has incurred for Piastri in the last two years. There is talk of five to ten million dollars, including the cost of his seat in last year's Prema Formula 2 team, the 3500 test kilometres he did in an Alpine, and the simulator rides he did at the factory.
