George Russell was one of those tickled by Alexander Albon's joke at the expense of Alpine amid their ongoing contract dispute with Oscar Piastri.
Tuesday proved to be one of the strangest F1 news days in recent memory as things kicked off between the Enstone-based team and their Australian reserve driver. Alpine said he would be replacing Fernando Alonso in 2023, but it wasn't long before Piastri released a statement of his own denying that he had signed any deal.
"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 wrote on social media. "This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year."
