McLaren confirmed this Friday the hiring of Australian driver Oscar Piastri for two seasons, starting in 2023, replacing his compatriot Daniel Ricciardo.
“McLaren has signed Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri to a multi-year contract to partner Lando Norris in the Formula 1 World Championship from the 2023 season,” the British team announced.
The hiring was announced after the International Automobile Federation (FIA) made public this Friday the decision of the Contract Recognition Commission, taken unanimously, in which it was recognized that “the only valid contract for the driver is with McLaren” .
We have signed F2 2021 champion @OscarPiastri.
Oscar joins Lando to form our exciting line-up of F1 drivers from 2023.
Full story. ⬇️
– McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 2, 2022
This decision follows a challenge from Alpine, which even announced Piastri as its starting driver from 2023, an announcement quickly denied by the 21-year-old on social media.
“I am very excited to debut in F1 with a team as prestigious as McLaren, whom I thank for the opportunity it gives me,” said the Australian driver, quoted by the team’s press office.
Piastri was also “eager to work with Lando [Norris]”, whose teammate will be.
Source: TSF
