Quote:
Originally Posted by NYG
Artemis did you see all the whacky stuff about this?
Apparently, Alpine only found out that Alonso signed with Aston yesterday and they basically gave permission for McLaren to take Piastri (they assumed Fernando was staying at least another year). Now it seems like there's an agreement between Piastri and McLaren but Alpine is going to fight it or end up with Danny Ric.
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Yeah, and the root cause: the mistake by Alpine in the past to sign Ocon for a way too flattering long-term deal, locking out Piastri for 2022 and possibly even also 2023. OK, F1 seats are limited and beggars can't be choosers. But the prospect for Piastri to be sent to Williams wasn't quite attractive (remember how the Williams car frustrated Russell's high capabilities in the past). IMHO if Hamilton would have decided to retire by the end of this year, I bet that Toto Wolff would have courted Piastri to join Mercedes for 2023 (no matter how hard Nyck de Vries would have tried to get that Merc seat).
If Alpine loses Piastri to McLaren, they should kick themselves for their major mistake of messing with a super talent. Not saying that "Ocon - Piastri" is like "Kyvat - Verstappen", but Alpine should not have wasted the 2022 season for Piastri. If this guy gets a good F1 car, he's capable of spicing F1 with nice battles with the very best.
"Alpine and McLaren in reported dispute over Piastri"
https://www.planetf1.com/news/alpine...astri-dispute/
"Alpine: Piastri can’t leave us for McLaren F1 seat in wake of shock Alonso exit"
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/al...7648/10347648/
"Alpine want Oscar Piastri to replace Fernando Alonso but Mark Webber 'has McLaren plan'"
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...nauer-27641016