Fernando Alonso rubbishes hypothesis that he was a part of a conspiracy geared toward permitting Oscar Piastri to interrupt freed from his Alpine contract and be part of McLaren.
It was the Spaniard’s shock announcement of his transfer to Aston Martin in 2023 which triggered the row which dominated the summer time break, and ought to be resolved this week following Monday’s assembly of the Contract Recognition Board.
When Alonso introduced his departure for Aston Martin, Alpine reacted by confirming Piastri as Esteban Ocon‘s teammate for subsequent yr, just for the Australian to categorically state that he wouldn’t be driving for the French group.
With Piastri managed by countryman Mark Webber, who was managed all through his racing profession by Flavio Briatore, who additionally manages Alonso, there was hypothesis that the Spaniard intentionally delayed his resolution till Alpine’s choice on the F2 champion had run out and that the entire operation had been orchestrated by the previous Benetton and Renault boss.
Requested if there had been a conspiracy, Alonso was adamant: “No, under no circumstances…
“I learn that within the first days, and truthfully, it was fairly unhappy, and annoying to learn that, you recognize, conspiracy, as a result of, I imply, I make this resolution, I clarify why.
“From some months I have been chatting with the group about extending the contract, that nothing formally arrive, and nothing formally occurred and Aston referred to as me after Sebastian retired.
“If Sebastian most likely proceed, this is not going to occur, they transfer to Aston. So, I imply, they had been very clear and really straightforward selections from my aspect.
“What occurred after and what’s taking place, as I mentioned, with Oscar, no matter, is totally, you recognize, not my factor. I shall be fully apart.
“Oscar is an unbelievable expertise for any group and for Alpine. I have been working with him for now two years and I want him the very best, and likewise the very best for Alpine, as a result of it is going to be my group this yr however they are going to be my group all the time on my coronary heart, as I mentioned earlier than, as a result of we achieved issues that had been unthinkable after we began the connection, and I went again to the game additionally because of Alpine, so I solely want the very best for them.
“And people feedback that I learn, they had been unhappy to learn. Bar of any of those negotiations, you recognize, I have been doing my issues all the time and Flavio’s coming to some races, however as it’s possible you’ll know, with different offers that he has with Stefano and Formulation 1 and Paddock Membership and issues, however not associated to me.”
In the meantime, Otmar Szafnauer insists there by no means was a deadline for Piastri within the first place.
“I hardly ever like to speak about particulars of driver contracts,” mentioned the American, “however two issues I can say: One, there was no ‘by the thirty first of July it’s a must to do some issues or due to this fact you may get out’. There’s none of. That thirty first of July deadline that I learn on a regular basis is fictitious. It is not within the contract that he signed and the time period of the contract is thru 2024 with an choice on the finish of ’23. So I will simply say these issues, however there’s much more in it however like I mentioned, I do not actually like to speak about specifics.”
In the meantime, although a lot was product of the truth that Piastri wasn’t quoted within the Alpine press launch wherein he was named as Ocon’s teammate, Szafnauer insists that the Australian was absolutely conscious the announcement was to be made.
“I informed Oscar, earlier than the announcement was made – he occurred to be within the simulator – so I went and located him and he smiled and was grateful so we made the discharge in a short time.”
Seemingly, an additional launch, both from Alpine or McLaren, shall be issued within the coming days.
