{"id":64869,"date":"2022-09-03T14:19:57","date_gmt":"2022-09-03T14:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/piastri-opens-up-on-upsetting-and-bizarre-alpine-f1-behavior\/"},"modified":"2022-09-03T14:19:57","modified_gmt":"2022-09-03T14:19:57","slug":"piastri-opens-up-on-upsetting-and-bizarre-alpine-f1-behavior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/piastri-opens-up-on-upsetting-and-bizarre-alpine-f1-behavior\/","title":{"rendered":"Piastri opens up on “upsetting” and “bizarre” Alpine F1 behavior"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the wake of the shock decision of Fernando Alonso to join Aston Martin for next season, Alpine issued a statement shortly afterwards that Piastri would be stepping up to become Esteban Ocon’s teammate.<\/p>\n

But the team’s claim was swiftly rebuked by Piastri who famously tweeted that the team had made an announcement without his agreement.<\/p>\n

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Speaking to the official F1 website following the confirmation that he would be joining McLaren in 2023, Piastri expressed the disappointment when Alpine made the public move.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy decision [to join McLaren] was made well in advance [of Alonso\u2019s departure]which made Alpine’s announcement probably even more confusing and upsetting because we had told the team that I wasn’t going to continue,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was quite upsetting as the announcement was false and it also denied me the opportunity to properly say goodbye to everyone at Enstone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had been with team for a bit over two and a half years now, and for the rest of the team to find out I was leaving in that manner was very upsetting.<\/p>\n

OPINION: Why Alpine only has itself to blame for its F1 driver market blunders<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI still haven’t had the opportunity to say goodbye and it’s something I want to do to show my gratitude to all the men and women at Enstone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Piastri also revealed how awkward it was for him, knowing what he had informed Alpine, that he was told during a sim session that the team was putting the announcement out.<\/p>\n

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Oscar Piastri, Alpine A521<\/p>\n

Photo by: Mark Sutton \/ Motorsport Images<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

Team principal Otmar Szafnauer revealed last weekend that Piastri had ‘smiled and said thank you’ at being told of the news.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on that moment, Piastri said: \u201cThat was a bizarre and frankly upsetting episode.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was done publicly in front of some members of the team who were oblivious to the situation and I didn’t want to cause a scene in front of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce we were in private, I told Otmar what our position was and what he had been told multiple times before that. It was very surprising to me to make that announcement.\u201d<\/p>\n

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He added: \u201cIt was the biggest moment of my career and probably my life up to now. To have that falsely announced was something my management and I felt we had to correct and there was also potential legal implications if we didn’t deny the announcement. <\/p>\n

“It was not intended to be pointed or in any way anything more than factual. The last line was quite a strong one, but with the CRB ruling, it shows it was purely a fact.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is understood that Piastri had been pushing Alpine hard for a firm contract for some time, but says a reluctance from the team to commit at a time when he was a free agent meant that the McLaren option progressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lack of clarity around my future, and ultimately a breakdown in trust, I felt the very attractive offer of McLaren and the positive dealings with them thus far were all reasons why I felt McLaren was where I was best off for the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Oscar<\/p>\n

Oscar Piastri Alpine F1 Qatar<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

\u201cThe CRB ruling has confirmed I didn’t have a contract for the 2023 season [with Alpine].<\/p>\n

\u201cI was free to choose my destiny \u2013 and I felt McLaren was a great opportunity. They were very straightforward and very keen and enthusiastic to have me.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be completely honest, there was a lack of clarity around my future at the team at Alpine.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey publicly stated they wished to continue with Fernando for at least one or two more years. I respect that.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut after spending the year out, my hopes were firmly set on an Alpine seat and the lack of clarity and, similarly to Fernando, a bit of a strange feeling in negotiations, it didn’t feel like it was the right decision for me [to stay around]\u201d <\/p>\n