Oscar Piastri pokes fun at anniversary of infamous Alpine contract tweet

Oscar Piastri has publicly mocked one of the most awkward moments of his career, thanking fans on X for their "anniversary messages" four years after he flatly denied joining Alpine. The lighthearted post nods to his August 2, 2022 statement, which transformed a routine driver announcement into Formula 1’s most notorious contract dispute and ultimately opened the door to his McLaren career.

Why it matters:

That single tweet fundamentally rerouted Piastri’s trajectory from Alpine reserve to McLaren grand prix winner. By forcing the matter before the FIA’s Contract Recognition Board, he avoided a seat he never committed to and landed at a team where he has since claimed nine victories and helped secure back-to-back constructors’ championships.

The details:

• Alpine announced on August 2, 2022, that Piastri would replace Fernando Alonso and race alongside Esteban Ocon in 2023.
• Piastri responded hours later with a blunt denial, stating he had not signed a contract and would not drive for the team.
• The dispute centered on a prior agreement Piastri and manager Mark Webber had already finalized with McLaren on July 4, 2022.
• The Contract Recognition Board unanimously ruled in McLaren’s favor on September 2, validating the Australian’s Woking deal as the only binding contract.
• Since joining McLaren, Piastri has scored 891 points, claimed nine wins and six poles, and contributed to constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025.
• Alpine has managed just 268 points across the same span, with five podiums and no victories, never finishing higher than sixth in the standings.

What's next:

With McLaren entrenched as a front-running force, Piastri’s 2022 gamble continues to pay dividends deep into the 2026 season. Alpine, meanwhile, remains mired in the midfield, still searching for the consistency that might have come from a smoother handling of its junior program four years ago.