Oscar Piastri insists ‘I will not be driving for Alpine next year’ after team announce him as Alonso’s replacement

Oscar Piastri has taken to his social media channels to say that he “will not be driving for Alpine next year”, hours after the team announced they would be promoting him to a full time race seat in 2023.

Piastri, 21, was announced as Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso’s replacement for 2023 earlier on Tuesday but the Australian driver then took to Twitter and Instagram to insist otherwise.

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“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,” he wrote.

“This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023.

“I will not be driving for Alpine next year.”

Earlier the statement from Alpine said: “BWT Alpine F1 Team confirms 21-year-old reserve driver Oscar Piastri as Esteban Ocon’s teammate starting from 2023. In line with the commitments made by the team to the young Australian, Oscar will be promoted to race driver and step in Fernando Alonso’s seat from next year onwards.”

While Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer added: “Oscar is a bright and rare talent. We are proud to have nurtured and supported him through the difficult pathways of the junior formulae.

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“Through our collaboration over the past four years, we have seen him develop and mature into a driver who is more than capable of taking the step up to Formula 1.

“As our reserve driver he has been exposed to the team at the track, factory and testing where he has shown the maturity, promise and speed to ensure his promotion to our second seat alongside Esteban. Together, we believe the duo will give us the continuity we need to achieve our long-term goal of challenging for wins and championships.”