Oscar Piastri, hours after Alpine F1 team announced that he will replace Fernando Alonso next year, dismissed the claim. The Aussie F2 driver said that the outfit took out a statement without his agreement. 

Piastri, who has been in Alpine’s team’s driver academy, won the  2021 Formula 2 Championship with Prema Racing. The 21-year-old has also won the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup, the 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship. 

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Alpine, who were hit by Fernando Alonso’s shocking move to Aston Martin, on Tuesday announced that Piastri will pair up with Estaban Ocon in 2023. 

But the Melbourne native said that’s not happening.

“I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year,” he wrote on Twitter.

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Alpine’s news release had not included any comments from Piastri. There has been speculation that the current F2 champion was working on a better deal with another team. Notably, his wikipedia page states that the Aussie will join Mercedes. 

In March 2022, Alpine announced the 21-year-old as their reserve driver for 2022. 

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In Alpine’s announcement on Tuesday, team principal Otmar Szafnauer said Piastri is “a bright and rare talent” who is “more than capable of taking the step up to Formula 1.”

Alonso, who was on a one-year contract with Alpine, on Monday signed with Aston Martin. He will replace four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel, who announced his retirement last week

Alpine said Alonso had not given the team any indication he was leaving as late as Sunday night after the race, and the Piastri promotion was quickly announced. Williams, meanwhile, said American driver Logan Sargeant will make his F1 debut when he runs the first practice session at the United States Grand Prix later this year. Sargeant, a current F2 driver from Florida, will be the first American to participate in an F1 weekend since Alexander Rossi in 2015.

Alpine said Piastri has already been undergoing “an intensive and comprehensive training program” this season to “prepare him for the next big step” into F1.

“As our reserve driver he has been exposed to the team at the track, factory and testing where he has shown the maturity, promise and speed to ensure his promotion to our second seat alongside Esteban,” Szafnauer said. “Together, we believe the duo will give us the continuity we need to achieve our longterm goal of challenging for wins and championships.”