Oscar Piastri’s split from Alpine in the summer of 2022 was one of the most memorable moments in recent F1 history. The team had just announced him as their driver for the following season.
Oscar Piastri’s decision to publicly reject Alpine in the summer of 2022 remains one of the most dramatic contract episodes in modern Formula 1. At the time, the French team had already announced that the Australian would be racing for them the following season — without including any statement from the driver himself.
Within hours, Piastri responded on his own social media, making it clear that he would not be driving for the Enstone-based outfit. By that point, he had already secured a deal with McLaren. Alpine took the case to the Contract Recognition Board, but the ruling went in Piastri’s favour, paving the way for his 2023 debut alongside Lando Norris in what became one of F1’s defining “sliding-door” moments.
Piastri says he knew the statement would become a major story
Speaking on Formula 1’s official YouTube channel, Piastri reflected on the turbulent period and the difficult 2022 season that preceded it. After winning the Formula 2 championship, he had hoped to secure a seat immediately, but Alpine committed to Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso, leaving him sidelined and watching race weekends from the garage.
When Alonso unexpectedly departed for Aston Martin, Alpine rushed to promote Piastri — but the opportunity had already passed. The young Australian admitted the year was mentally demanding, though it also helped him better understand the rhythm of an F1 season, from media responsibilities to sponsor commitments.
He acknowledged that he knew his public response would create headlines, but insisted there were clear reasons behind the decision. Looking back now, he says the whole episode makes him smile, even though it was deeply stressful at the time. The subsequent CRB ruling in his favour, he added, was another tense chapter in an already difficult period.
How Alpine lost a potentially historic driver pairing
For a brief moment, Alpine had both Fernando Alonso — a two-time world champion — and Piastri, one of the most promising young drivers of his generation, under contract. Within days, they had lost both. The fallout reportedly left staff in turmoil, even though the eventual line-up of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly remained competitive.
For Piastri, the outcome proved transformative. After a challenging start with McLaren, he quickly found his feet, earning podiums in his rookie season and claiming race victories in his second year. Meanwhile, Alpine’s fortunes have declined, finishing at the bottom of the 2025 standings — a contrast that only underscores how pivotal the 2022 contract saga turned out to be.
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