Alpine have allowed Oscar Piastri to join his new employers McLaren earlier than planned, the bosses of both teams have confirmed.
The two teams are each others' main rivals in Formula 1 these days, as they tussle for fourth place in the constructors' championship. But that battle is nothing compared to the one they fought earlier this year over the future of the 2021 F2 champion.
Piastri was on the books at Alpine, but only as a reserve as the Enstone team looked to extend the contract of Fernando Alonso. It was only when the Spaniard decided to leave for Aston Martin that they tried to promote the Aussie to his first F1 race seat.
But Piastri, who had grown frustrated by the prospect of spending more time as an understudy, had been looking elsewhere. And, long before Alpine tried to promote him, he had already signed a deal with McLaren to join them from 2023.
After a lengthy legal battle, it was later decided that Piastri was free to make that move. McLaren have been trying ever since to negotiate his release earlier than the start of 2023, but Alpine have been dragging their heels – not a surprise considering the animosity caused by that public fight over his future.
But a test behind closed doors in McLaren's 2021 car at Paul Ricard recently was a sign that Alpine were budging. And now, both sides have confirmed that an agreement has been reached, meaning the Aussie is free to drive for McLaren in the young driver test after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He will not appear in FP1 at the Yas Marina Circuit, as McLaren have already declared that IndyCar racer Pato O'Ward will be taking to the track for them in that session. Alex Palou previously appeared for them at the US GP.
"There was a negotiation on an agreement as to how to part ways," Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer told Autosport of Piastri's situation. "We're drawing a line under it. Once this season ends, he's free to go and do whatever he wants to do."
McLaren chief Andreas Seidl also confirmed the news when speaking to reporters in Sao Paulo on Saturday. It means Piastri will join Alonso, Pierre Gasly and Nyck de Vries in driving for their 2023 employers in that post-Abu Dhabi test.
