The Australian driver was chosen as the face of Google’s latest promotional campaign for its newest smartphone. The content also featured subtle references to Piastri’s past, including nods to his well-known contractual dispute with Alpine.

The first reference can be found in Piastri’s own words in the video, in which he stated: “I know I don’t always show it, but winning does excite me. So when I see a chance to get ahead, I will change things up. I mean, why would you want anything less than the best? It’s why I switched to Google Pixel.”

The second — far more emblematic — moment comes when, during one of the video’s scenes, a painting depicting an Alpine landscape is moved aside to make room for another showing a papaya split in two, a clear nod to Piastri’s switch from Alpine to McLaren three years ago.

Back in 2022, Alpine announced that their then-reserve driver Oscar Piastri would replace Fernando Alonso in 2023 following the Spaniard’s unexpected move to Aston Martin.

The situation unraveled almost immediately. Piastri responded on social media, distancing himself from the team’s statement and firmly denying that any agreement had been reached, while confirming he would not be driving for Alpine the following season.