Alpine - Oscar Piastri

Alpine issue damning Piastri prophecy

Ian Parkes Sunday 18 December 2022 09:30

Additional reporting by Sam Hall

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer has warned Oscar Piastri that selfish species "perish" after a lengthy dispute over the Australian's controversial move to join McLaren.

Piastri was confirmed as an Alpine driver for 2023 following Fernando Alonso's shock move to replace Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin.

But the 21-year-old acted quickly to deny the deal on social media, with it later transpiring he had signed a contract with McLaren.

Following a contract recognition board hearing, it was ruled the deal with McLaren was the only valid arrangement.

Speaking to selected media in an end-of-season interview, including GPFans, Szafnauer was asked what he had learned of paddock politics, driver contracts, and loyalty over the past 12 months.

"I think species that collaborate survive," he said.

"Species that are selfish perish and that's true in history. I think that might apply to Formula 1 too, but let's see what the future brings.

“We had an obligation for Oscar to either put him in our car next year or find him a seat, a loan seat somewhere else, or he became a free agent.”

Confirming paddock rumours of what Alpine had originally envisaged for Piastri in 2023, Szafnauer added: “The original plan was for him to take a seat at Williams.

"Had that happened, he may have had a Williams FP1 [this year].”

Latest News

GPFans Recap

Ricciardo tipped for NEW F1 role as star makes COMEBACK at Las Vegas Grand Prix - GPFans Recap

1 hour ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: The music artists set to star at STUNNING event

2 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Mercedes star SHOCKED by FIA reaction after damning drivers' statement

3 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Verstappen reveals F1 RETIREMENT clue ahead of Las Vegas GP

Yesterday 20:47

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton drops Mercedes BOMBSHELL ahead of Las Vegas GP

Yesterday 20:02

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 star reveals DEPORTATION threat at Las Vegas Grand Prix

Yesterday 19:18

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Alpine issue damning Piastri prophecy

Alpine issue damning Piastri prophecy