BREAKING: Oscar Piastri joins McLaren F1 Team for 2023 season


F1 logo with white background

Oscar Piastri's driver transfer saga has finally come to an end with McLaren announcing that the young Aussie will drive for them in the 2023 F1 season.

After a ruling from F1's Contract Recognition Board, Piastri has been cleared to race for McLaren next season following a legal dispute from Alpine over his existing contract with the team.

The Oscar Piastri saga: As it happened

The reigning Formula 2 champion had spent this season as Alpine's reserve driver ahead of an expected loan move to Williams, where he would partner Alex Albon for the next three seasons.

However, Sebastian Vettel's retirement triggered a knock-on effect across the F1 grid, sparking one of the most unexpected driver transfers in recent times with Fernando Alonso making the switch to Lawrence Stroll's outfit.

This left Alpine with a spare seat with Ottmar Szafnauer's team pulling the plug on Piastri's move to Williams, instead announcing him as an Alpine driver amid rumours of contact with McLaren.

Piastri then took to Twitter, claiming that he would not drive for Alpine with late reports suggesting that Piastri's manager, Mark Webber, had agreed to a move to McLaren for the 2023 season and beyond.

This now leaves Alpine without a second driver for the upcoming campaign with Pierre Gasly expected to make the switch from AlphaTauri to fill the vacant seat.

Daniel Ricciardo has been the major loser from this deal with the popular Aussie now facing a year on the sidelines, should he choose not to accept a drive for Haas or Williams.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Sports and Motorsport page.