In a dramatic revelation, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has accused Alpine of attempting to “bully” Oscar Piastri into driving for them during the tumultuous split in 2022. This claim surfaced following a challenging week for the French team, which witnessed the departure of a third team principal in two years and the unexpected “rotation” of Jack Doohan from his seat.
Piastri, a reserve driver for both Alpine and McLaren at the time, found himself at the centre of a contentious contract dispute that erupted after Fernando Alonso’s sudden decision to leave Alpine for Aston Martin. Shortly thereafter, Alpine announced Piastri would be promoted to a race seat, prompting the young Australian to publicly invalidate their statement with a tweet. This set the stage for a messy legal battle between the two teams, ultimately resolved in favour of McLaren by the Contract Recognition Board.
Brown highlighted that Alpine’s press release lacked a direct quotation from Piastri, suggesting it was an aggressive tactic to force his hand. “They did not even ask him,” he stated, indicating that the announcement was made unilaterally, intending to pressure Piastri into compliance. Despite these moves, he opted to join McLaren for the 2023 season, replacing Daniel Ricciardo.
This incident marked a significant departure for both Piastri and Alpine, which has seen a string of high-profile exits since 2020. The ongoing leadership instability within Alpine has led to five team principals being replaced, with Franco Colapinto set to take over as their sixth driver in six seasons.
The chain of events leading to Piastri’s exit from Alpine can be traced back to administrative errors within the team, notably a staff member’s failure to submit necessary legal documentation on time, granting McLaren a path to recruit the promising driver. As Piastri now stands atop the drivers’ standings, his switch to McLaren appears to be a pivotal move in his burgeoning career.
Reflecting on McLaren’s decision, Brown conveyed that Ricciardo had until Monaco to prove himself, and when results faltered, Piastri emerged as a prime candidate for the seat. Having established a rapport with Piastri’s manager, Mark Webber, and recognizing the driver’s potential, McLaren felt confident in giving Piastri the opportunity, especially as teammate Lando Norris continued to excel.
In essence, the controversy highlights the fierce competition and complex dynamics within Formula 1, illustrating how contractual negotiations can escalate into significant disputes that impact the careers of drivers.