P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Otmar Szafnauer has blamed “untrustworthy” individuals within Alpine’s F1 team over the contract ordeal which saw Oscar Piastri go to McLaren.
Otmar Szafnauer was appointed as Alpine’s Team Principal in 2022, but he left the team in July 2023 due to a decline in performance. Fernando Alonso’s decision to move to Aston Martin led to Oscar Piastri being chosen as his replacement by the Enstone-based team. However, Piastri signed with McLaren instead, creating a stir in the F1 community.
Alpine used Szafnauer’s image in response to a ruling against the team, but Szafnauer clarified that he had no part in the Piastri dispute. He explained the situation on the High Performance Podcast, revealing details about the failed contract and miscommunication in the team.
Szafnauer expressed disappointment in the handling of the situation by certain individuals within the Alpine organization. Despite not signing the contract in time, Piastri was given the promised opportunities by the team.
Piastri’s move to McLaren has proven successful, with him achieving two race wins this season. He currently sits in fourth place in the Drivers’ Championship, while Alpine has fallen to ninth place in the standings with six races left in the season.
