Alpine are determined not to allow themselves to be caught out by contract loopholes again after being left red-faced by the unplanned departure of Oscar Piastri last year.
The team was hoping to convince Fernando Alonso to sign a new deal. But when the Spaniard decided to embark upon a fresh challenge with Aston Martin, their backup plan was not as fool-proof as they thought it would be.
In one of the most sensational driver move stories of the year, reserve driver Piastri turned down the chance to step up to a race seat. As it turned out, he had already agreed to leave for midfield rivals McLaren.
