(Update: re-ledes with Piastri denial; adds comments from team boss)
"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," the Australian tweeted not long after the team announcement. "This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year."
Piastri, the 2021 Formula 2 champion, is currently a reserve driver for
"After four years as part of the
But that statement followed a press conference where the team principal,
"I do know he does have contractual obligations to us and we do to him. We have been honoring those obligations all year," Szafnauer said of the 21-year-old driver, who is reported to have had discussions with McLaren.
The Alpine boss also admitted that the team was caught by surprise when Alonso, a two-time F1 champion, said Monday that he would be joining Aston Martin at the beginning of the new season.
Alpine had been confident of keeping the 41-year-old Spaniard onboard through the end of the 2023 season, but Szafnauer confirmed that Alonso wanted a two-year contract while the team was offering one year with an option for 2024.
Aston Martin turned to Alonso after four-time world champion
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