Szafnauer contradicts words of Piastri: 'He was happy and grateful'.

Early in August, Alpine thought to have a quick successor in Oscar Piastri for the departing Fernando Alonso, but it all turned out differently. The driver appeared to have already reached an agreement with McLaren, so he did not want to make the switch. For Otmar Szafnauer this came as a surprise.

The Alpine team boss told Forumapassion.it at the FIA press conference that he had been in contact with Piastri prior to the announcement. While the driver had previously indicated that he knew nothing about it, Alpine is convinced that the Australian was indeed aware of the news.

According to Szafnauer he even visited Piastri personally to tell him the news. "I mentioned to Piastri that we were going to make the announcement," he recalls. "He was in the simulator. He was happy and grateful, so we announced him."

The BBC announced on Saturday afternoon that McLaren and Alpine will submit the contract to the Contract Recognition Board on Monday. That body must then give an opinion to the FIA, after which the latter organisation determines what the conclusion is. At McLaren, Piastri must become the successor of Daniel Ricciardo.