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Formula 1 team McLaren have announced a multi-year deal for Australian driver Oscar Piastri as his former team Alpine has lost the F1 contract battle on Friday. Piastri is set to partner with Lando Norris at McLaren in 2023.
Alpine, who signed Piastri last year in November, were adamant about having a valid contract for Piastri to drive for them in 2023. However, the FIA's Contract Recognition Board ruled out the possibility of the Australian racing for Alpine. With the decision, Alpine will continue their search for a replacement for Fernando Alonso for next season.
Alpine announced Piastri's promotion at the start of August but the 21-year-old Australian denied his association with Alpine from next year as his management believed he had a contract with McLaren and his Alpine clause is expired.
The hearing into the dispute started on Monday as the four-person Contract Recognition Board (CRB) gathered. The CRB revealed on Friday that they had unanimously ruled in McLaren and Piastri's favour as the driver was entitled to drive for the team in 2023 and 2024 after signing a deal with McLaren on July 4.
Piastri said, "I'm extremely excited to be making my F1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I'm very grateful for the opportunity that's been offered to me. The team has a long tradition of giving young talent a chance, and I'm looking forward to working hard alongside Lando to push the team towards the front of the grid."