Australian Oscar Piastri will drive for McLaren next year after Alpine lost their appeal to Formula 1’s contract recognition board (CRB). Alpine had lodged a claim with the board, a team of lawyers set up to adjudicate in contract disputes, after Piastri rejected their claim he was committed to them. The CRB said: “The only contract to be recognised is the contact between McLaren and Piastri dated 4 July 2022. Piastri is entitled to drive for McLaren for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.”. Piastri, the reigning Formula 2 champion who has been Alpine’s reserve driver this year, said: “I’m extremely excited to be making my F1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that’s been offered to me. Alpine had been trying to juggle Alonso and Piastri, offering the two-time champion a one-year deal to stay with the team in 2023 while trying to farm Piastri out to Williams to gain experience.

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