Piastri case settled: Aussie charger joins McLaren!

©Alpine

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Oscar Piastri will race for McLaren in 2023, the young Aussie joining the papaya squad on a multi-year contract while Alpine now considers the matter closed.

The FIA's Contract Recognition Board convened last Monday to review Alpine and Piastri's contract situation.

While the outcome of the meeting is not known, McLaren and Alpine's respective announcements imply that there will be litigation between the involved parties.

"BWT Alpine F1 Team thanks the Contract Recognition Board (CRB) for convening on Monday and we acknowledge the decision they have made," read a short statement from Alpine.

"We consider the matter closed on our side and will announce our full 2023 driver line-up in due course."

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Over at McLaren, the Woking-based outfit officially welcomed its 2023 driver who will race alongside Lando Norris next year.

"Oscar is one of the up-and-coming talents coming through the feeder series into F1 and we are delighted to see him join the team for 2023," commented McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown.

"Winning both F3 and F2 in successive rookie seasons is a real achievement and testament to his talent in single-seater racing.

"In Lando and Oscar we have a young, exciting F1 line-up with a huge amount of potential, standing us in good stead to achieve our future ambitions.

"Oscar is an exciting addition to the McLaren family, and we look forward to seeing him grow with our F1 team."

Piastri, who won the FIA Formula 3 and Formula Championships in 2020 and 2021, is equally excited by the prospect of entering Formula 1 with the sport's second most successful team in its history.

"I'm extremely excited to be making my F1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that’s been offered to me.

"The team has a long tradition of giving young talent a chance, and I’m looking forward to working hard alongside Lando to push the team towards the front of the grid.

"I’m focused on preparing for my F1 debut in 2023 and starting my F1 career in papaya."

As for McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl, given Piastri's impressive credentials in motorsport's junior series, the German believes the young gun is a worthy addition to his team.

"He has an impressive racing career to date, and we are sure that together with Lando, he will be able to help us move another step forward towards our ambitions," said Seidl.

"We still have an important job to do this season which the team remains focused on, before we will then ensure Oscar is integrated into the team as quickly as possible and ready for the challenges ahead. We look forward to preparing for an exciting 2023 season together."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.