Mercedes & Red Bull F1 bosses back Alpine over Piastri saga
Aug.29 - All eyes are turning to Geneva on Monday as the FIA's contract recognition board meets to discuss Oscar Piastri's next move in Formula 1.
"We're going to the CRB on Monday and they'll decide which contract that Oscar signed takes precedence," Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer said, amid reports the 21-year-old Australian has also been signed up by McLaren.
Even before starting a single career grand prix, the reigning Formula 2 champion has polarised the F1 world by rejecting Alpine's confirmation of his 2023 race seat with a now notorious tweet.
L-R F1 team bosses: Andreas Seidl (McLaren), Otmar Szafnauer (Alpine) & Frederique Vasseur (Alfa Romeo)
Szafnauer has openly questioned Piastri's "integrity", and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff seems to agree.
"It is important that the junior programs of the teams are treated with respect. I think some kids should be careful what they post on social media about multinational corporations," he said.
"I believe in karma and I believe in honesty. But it is not really for me to judge, since I am not aware of the entire legal situation."
Red Bull boss Christian Horner is also confused about how the Alpine vs McLaren tug-of-war over Piastri could have happened.
"Contractually it should never happen," he said.
"If Renault or Alpine has invested in his junior career, it's with an eye on the future and with that comes loyalty," Horner insisted.
"I don't understand what is going on contractually but if Piastri is in a position where he doesn't think he has to drive for Alpine next year, then something is wrong.
"Hopefully it will all be straightened out."
The most likely outcome, irrespective of the CRB's decision, is that Piastri will be paired with Lando Norris at McLaren next year.
In the event that McLaren loses the case, the British team and also the Mark Webber-led Piastri camp are expected to simply compensate Alpine.
"We're very confident," Szafnauer insisted at Spa-Francorchamps.
"I've seen both sides of the argument and we're confident that Oscar signed with us back in November. There are certain things that need to be in the contract and I'm confident they're in there."
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Interesting that the team bosses expect loyalty while the drivers are expected to endure the paddock Markos.
Otmar 25 yrs experience in F1, Horner 17yrs in f1 management, 24 yrs in top level m-sport management and under his steering the team will win its 6th WCC this year with Toto having 8, how long will that number stand?, the Doc, well whatever people think , he was a pretty good race driver, had he not been involved in the Stone incident would probably had a good career in f1....,Also the manager of Gerhard B and all the Rb stuff 30+ yrs in top motorsport management, now hes Marmite we know that, but my point is Toto, correct me if i'm wrong has been involved in the signing of just 2 f1 drivers in his career which in fi as someone who did little more than make the tea , as a non exec director at Williams , for a paltry 8 yrs..........with Niki holding his hand and lets be honest, Niki had
more to do with the Dames success than Toto,Easy to ride the wave of other peoples efforts and make it look like your own, So who am I going to listen to about contracts ? A relatively inexperienced schnitzel muncher or someone with real experience?
Good post, and factual. Well done. One oopsy.....I think that the way the doc berates good, but not great, drivers is deplorable. Can't wait for the Dutch dj to blast the music.
I defer to Shropp's encyclopedic knowledge about who has done what. Amazing stuff. Wow.
Mr. Piastri is fundamentally a deliverable. In any contract he signs, there will likely be clauses related to performance, 'morality', personal conduct in and out of the public eye - and most definitely an "off ramp".
Now, I've not read his Tweet. There has been much discussion. He is arriving with a shadow of notoriety preceding him. I'm just hoping the juice is worth the squeeze, and it turns out he fulfills everyone's lofty expectations.
So
OILY PASTRAMI TO
McLaren for 2023
Hope D R is smiling