P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has accused Alpine of trying to “bully” Oscar Piastri into signing with them during the F1 contract dispute between the teams in 2022.
Alpine attempted to pressure Oscar Piastri into joining the team for the 2023 season, as revealed by McLaren CEO Zak Brown. The situation escalated when Alpine issued a press release naming Piastri as Fernando Alonso’s replacement without consulting the driver, leading to a public backlash from Piastri on social media. It was later revealed that Piastri was under contract with McLaren, ultimately resulting in a legal battle between the two teams. The FIA’s Contract Recognition Board ruled in favor of McLaren, requiring Alpine to cover legal fees and acknowledging McLaren’s contract with Piastri.
McLaren’s interest in Piastri grew due to his strong performances in junior categories and a recommendation from Mark Webber, his manager at the time. Despite initial doubts, Piastri’s success at McLaren has validated the team’s decision to sign him. Piastri’s current lead in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship highlights the positive outcome of his move to McLaren and the team’s belief in his talent.
