Szafnauer surprised by Piastri: 'Plan was to loan him out in 2023'

There has been a lot going on around Alpine this past week. On Monday Fernando Alonso announced that he would be leaving Alpine to join Aston Martin in 2023. On Tuesday Alpine first announced that Oscar Piastri will drive for them next year, followed a few hours later by a statement from the Australian saying that he will not race for the team.

It led to a lot of confusion and questions, also at Alpine itself. There, Piastri is still under contract and according to the French team, the contract states that he will drive for the team until 2023. Otmar Szafnauer, Alpine's team boss, explains in conversation with El Confidencial how Alpine views the situation.

"Part of the contract allows us to put Oscar in our car in 2023, hence our press release. There was also an option for 2023, in which we could lend him to another team. In fact, we wanted to keep Fernando for one more year and lend Oscar out for 2023." Szafnauer explains that this plan changed when news of Alonso reached the team.

As to why Piastri wants to go for another team and not stay with Alpine, Szafnauer himself does not have a clear answer either. "I think that's a question for Piastri, because I don't understand it either. I am relatively new to the team, but am enjoying it here." According to the team boss, Alpine has big plans and they also share them with the drivers. That makes Piastri's choice for another team, allegedly McLaren, even crazier Szafnauer thinks.