Oscar Piastri will make his Formula One debut next season, with the 21-year-old set to replace fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren. A world champion in Formula 2 and Formula 3 over the past two seasons, Piastri has long been considered one of Formula One’s rising stars and has spent the current season as Alpine’s reserve drive. ‘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,’ Piastri said on Friday. That led to a well-publicised legal dispute, with Alpine insisting Piastri was under contract with the team through the 2023 season. Last week, Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer accused Piastri of ‘lacking integrity’ as rumours linking Piastri with McLaren continued.

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