Fernando Alonso says he decided to leave Alpine for 2023 because he had the impression the Renault-owned team’s focus for the future was clearly on Oscar Piastri. Ultimately, when the 41-year-old Spaniard announced his impending move to Aston Martin, Alpine swiftly promoted 21-year-old Piastri for 2023 – before the Australian announced that he would not drive for the team next year. “Absolutely,” Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer said when asked if Piastri has subsequently signed for McLaren. He said he started looking around at other teams when Alpine seemed to be putting all of its eggs in the Piastri basket from an early stage this season. “They were worried about Piastri, his place, Piastri’s future – Piastri, Piastri, Piastri.

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