Webber responds to Alpine on the Piastri case: “The figures announced are totally disproportionate”

Although settled, the case Oscar piastri still arouses as much interest. As a reminder, Alpine had selected it to replace Fernando Alonso from 2023. But the Australian denied a few moments later any agreement with the Dieppe firm for next season. What followed a legal case before the CRB (committee judging the validity of contracts between teams and drivers) which rejected the French team and above all validated Oscar Piastri's contract with McLaren, signed at the beginning of July!

Since then, various people involved in the case, whether at Alpine or McLaren have spoken out on the subject. Logically, the Blues accused the Oranges and vice versa. Laurent Red, boss of the French structure, did not hesitate to scratch his future former pilot from the F1 website. " I'm somewhat surprised that Oscar thought he was better than Williams, he commented. I can understand that McLaren could be more interesting from a sporting point of view than Williams, but we didn't expect that after so much effort and loyalty on our side, that they would use the back door to walk away, and get what looks like a better contract. These are not our values."

The Piastri clan strikes back

In silence until now while the various speeches followed one another, Mark Webber came to add his little grain of salt to this whole story. Agent of Oscar Piastri and logically at the heart of all the negotiations that may have taken place, the Australian wanted to clarify things, particularly with regard to money, one of the vague subjects of this affair.

« The figures announced are totally disproportionate, wanted to recall Mark Webber to Channel 4. With the summer break, we started talking about millions and millions and millions. It is not the case at all. In the promotion formulas, Oscar obtained bonuses for winning these championships, regardless of the investment ofAlpine. Remember that Piastri won the Formula Renault Eurocup (2019), the FIA F3 (2020) and F2 (2021) Thus, 80% of his career budget in promotional packages was provided by external sponsors and Oscar's family. It is important to contextualize the situation ».

Mark Webber took the opportunity to deny the explanation given by Alpine according to which the French team was not aware of the discussions between Oscar Piastri and McLaren. “ Something had been brewing for a long time. But they knew it, it was as clear as crystal. They knew it. » When will there be a response from the Blues? It won't be long.

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