The McLaren Racing team reported this Friday that the Australian Oscar Piastri joins its ranks for the 2023 season with a multi-year contract, and that he will replace his compatriot Daniel Ricciardo.
The Contract Recognition Board allowed the pilot to free himself from his commitments with Alpine.
The F2 champion in 2021 will be the teammate of the British Lando Norris in the premier category of world motorsport.
In addition to the Formula 2 title, Piastri won the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup and the 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship.
“I am extremely excited to be making my Formula 1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I am very grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me,” said the Australian.
Piastri added that “the team has a long tradition of giving young talent a chance” and was keen to “work hard alongside Lando to bring” McLaren to the top positions.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, considered him “one of the emerging talents coming to Formula 1”.
The Alpine team even announced at the beginning of August that Piastri was going to be the replacement for the Spanish Fernando Alonso the day after he announced that in 2023 he would drive for Aston Martin.
Piastri himself denied that same day to the French team, which this Friday has issued a statement announcing that the “matter is closed” on its part and that it will announce its “complete lineup of drivers for 2023 in due time.” EFE
