McLaren confirm Oscar Piastri for the 2023 season

After winning contract dispute with Alpine, McLaren Racing has confirmed that Oscar Piastri will join the British team for the 2023 F1 season, replacing fellow Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo.

FIA’s Contract Recognition Board was set up this week to clear the dispute between McLaren and Alpine over which of the two teams held a valid contract for Piastri.

The CRB that consists of four people - each of whom are qualified lawyers of international standing and experience in contract law ruled that the Australian is entitled to drive for McLaren.

“A Tribunal appointed by the Contract Recognition Board held a meeting on 29 August 2022 when counsel for Alpine Racing Limited, McLaren Racing Limited and Mr Oscar Piastri were heard.

“The Tribunal has issued a unanimous decision that the only Contract to be recognised by the Board is the Contract between McLaren Racing Limited and Mr Piastri dated 4 July 2022. Mr Piastri is entitled to drive for McLaren Racing Limited for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The members of the Tribunal comprised Ian Hunter QC presiding, Prof. Klaus Peter Berger, Matthieu de Boisseson and Stefano Azzali,” read the statement from the CRB.

Just after that the FIA announced that the tribunal had issued a unanimous decision, McLaren Racing has confirmed that the 2021 FIA Formula 2 champion will drive for them in the forthcoming F1 season.

The 21-year-old Australian from Melbourne has an impressive motorsport resume, winning the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup before going on to win the 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship and 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship in successive Rookie seasons.

Commenting on the announcement, Oscar Piastri 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.

„The team has a long tradition of giving young talent a chance, and I’m looking forward to working hard alongside Lando to push the team towards the front of the grid. I’m focused on preparing for my F1 debut in 2023 and starting my F1 career in papaya.”

Team Principal Andreas Seidl added: “The entire team is delighted to welcome Oscar to McLaren for the 2023 F1 season. He has an impressive racing career to date, and we are sure that together with Lando, he will be able to help us move another step forward towards our ambitions.

„We still have an important job to do this season which the team remains focused on, before we will then ensure Oscar is integrated into the team as quickly as possible and ready for the challenges ahead. We look forward to preparing for an exciting 2023 season together.”

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown commented: “Oscar is one of the up-and-coming talents coming through the feeder series into F1 and we are delighted to see him join the team for 2023.

“Winning both F3 and F2 in successive rookie seasons is a real achievement and testament to his talent in single-seater racing. In Lando and Oscar we have a young, exciting F1 line-up with a huge amount of potential, standing us in good stead to achieve our future ambitions. “Oscar is an exciting addition to the McLaren family, and we look forward to seeing him grow with our F1 team."