Oscar Piastri Marks Four Years Since Iconic Alpine Tweet With Witty Post

Oscar Piastri quietly celebrated the four-year anniversary of his infamous social media post with a typically dry message on X, thanking followers for their "anniversary messages." The nod references the August 2022 tweet in which he publicly rejected Alpine's unauthorized announcement that he would drive for them in 2023, a move that kicked off the contract saga that ultimately delivered him to McLaren.

Why it matters:

That single tweet was far more than viral theater. It forced a high-stakes contract dispute before the FIA Contract Recognition Board, which ruled in McLaren's favor and effectively ended Alpine's claim on one of the most highly touted junior prospects in years. The decision not only reshaped Piastri's trajectory but also gave McLaren the driver it needed to anchor its long-term resurgence.

The details:

• In August 2022, Fernando Alonso's shock move to Aston Martin left Alpine scrambling for a 2023 replacement. The team announced Piastri without his agreement, prompting his blunt public denial.
• Piastri had already signed with McLaren, and the CRB ruling confirmed Woking's rights to his services. He lined up alongside Lando Norris for the 2023 season.
• Since joining, Piastri has claimed nine grand prix victories, including his maiden win at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix. He also led the 2025 Drivers' Championship at one stage before a mid-season collapse opened the door for Norris to take the title.
• Earlier this month at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, Piastri showed strong pace in the upgraded MCL40 before a lapping incident with Carlos Sainz and a subsequent gearbox failure ended his race.

Looking ahead:

The Australian heads into the summer break with proof that the latest MCL40 package carries genuine race-winning potential. With McLaren pushing back on rival theories about its upgrade trajectory, the team appears confident it has the machinery to close out 2026 strongly. For Piastri, the irony is clear: the tweet that once threatened to derail his F1 entry now marks the birthday of a career that looks destined to deliver many more anniversaries at the front of the grid.