Australian racing driver Oscar Piastri has sensationally contradicted reports from the Alpine Formula 1 team that he will drive for them in 2023.
Alpine — a factory team owned by Renault — announced the Australian, who has been their reserve driver this year, will step up next season.
This came after two-time world champion Fernando Alonso announced he was leaving the French outfit to replace the retiring Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin.
Alpine announced Piastri would join Frenchman Esteban Ocon on a four-year deal starting next season.
However, shortly after, Piastri announced on social media that he had not signed a contract with the team and he would not be driving for them in 2023.
"I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year," he said.
"This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023.
"I will not be driving for Alpine next year."
This season, Piastri has been Alpine's reserve driver, sitting behind Alonso and Ocon.
The Australian won the Formula 2 championship last year, the Formula 3 championship in 2020 and the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2019.
There has been speculation he is eyeing off a drive with McLaren, where fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo has been struggling this year.
Piastri was also linked with the Williams team on a loan from Alpine earlier this year.
