Alonso's departure, Piastri's refusal: what can be done Alpine ?

In the space of two days, Alpine lost its most famous representative, Fernando Alonso, as well as its future star, Oscar piastri. If the departure of the double Formula 1 world champion to Aston Martin is crystal clear, however this remains less obvious for the young Australian.

What could happen in the Oscar Piastri case on the Blues side? The French team's legal teams will be working at full speed: no curfew and even less summer break for them.

ALSO READ > Alpine learned of Alonso's departure on the day of the Aston Martin announcement

The content of the press release sent by Alpine F1 Team Tuesday August 2 at the end of the afternoon already foreshadowed an unexpected scenario. No cheerful declaration from the champion of Formula 2 2021 was not included in the text sent to the media.

Certain turns of phrase could be surprising, such as “He has since completed an intensive and comprehensive training program in private testing under the direction of the team and with the full financial support of the team. » or " In line with the team's commitments to the Australian, Oscar will be promoted to racing driver and will take the wheel of Fernando Alonso from next year. » Funny way to rejoice at the promotion of a young talent!

Not sure if Piastri keeps the outfits Alpine after his refusal.. © Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

Usually, F1 teams are not so particular about the words they use. This care that took Alpine to detail his role with Oscar Piastri in his year as a reserve in 2022 and this way of indicating, almost by constraint, his arrival in F1 in 2023, raised the eyebrows of informed observers.

I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.

— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) August 2

Alpine could, in this maneuver, force the hand of its nugget from the Antipodes to wear their colors in 2023. Legally, each word written in the press release has been weighed and will be dissected by experts in the weeks to come, because the denial of 'Oscar Piastri a few hours later clearly leaves the door open to an extra-sporting conflict between Alpine and the representatives of Piastri.

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Oscar Piastri being, according to our information, attracted to McLaren and the prospect of replacing his compatriot, the disappointing Daniel Ricciardo, Alpine thus asserted its rights over the Australian. But McLaren and Zak Brown have already been there and an agreement, with the management of Piastri (played by Mark Webber, friend of Andreas Seidl the team director), would have been signed for 2023. “ "I'm not aware of any prior arrangements he has with McLaren, if any, but I hear the same rumors as you." Otmar Szafnauer said Tuesday morning to a handful of media in a Zoom conference.

It is not yet too late for Alpine and Piastri reach an agreement before entering the legal field. However, this seems highly improbable, as the sums involved and the impact on public image are high. We could therefore move towards an extra-sporting process such as Chip Ganassi Racing initiated against its driver Alex Palou in IndyCar.

ALSO READ > Chip Ganassi Racing sues Alex Palou

The 2021 champion had rejected the contract extension for 2023, claiming an agreement with McLaren Racing. Chip Ganassi officially intends to force his driver to stay in his fold next year, and has initiated legal proceedings against Palou and his sporting entity in the United States. But how do you work with a pilot who doesn't want you for a year? And how can you give every effort in hardware and engineering to a man who has publicly disowned you? Two questions that will inevitably arise in the context of the duel Alpine-Piastri.

What if the providential man was standing to the left of this photo? © DPPI

Therefore, who can take the second seat at the brand with the A arrow in 2023? An elder of the house Renault could go the opposite way: Daniel Ricciardo. According to our information, the former Grand Prix winner is holding the rope to get to Alpine next year, McLaren not having been satisfied with him for some time and the Australian not having a myriad of sufficiently attractive options in F1.

He would have until the end of August to decide on his future with the English brand; an option in his contract allows him to have control over his destiny in 2023. There is no rush to Alpine ; it is better to wait a month and be sure of your new recruit rather than drinking in the towel like the last two days.

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