Alpine boss slams Oscar Piastri's lack of 'integrity' amid McLaren defection
Oscar Piastri's lack of "integrity" in his shock plans to defect to McLaren for 2023 has been criticised by Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer.
Amid Daniel Ricciardo's exit from McLaren which saw the Australian bought out of the final year of his contract, Piastri's management is pushing for the 21-year-old to replace his countryman.
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Alpine's future plans received a further blow when veteran Fernando Alonso announced he was joining Aston Martin, with the team finding out via the British team's official announcement.
An incensed Szafnauer, blasted the young Australian for going against his contract with the team.
Oscar Piastri Alpine F1 Team, portrait, during the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring circuit from 7th of June to 10th of July, 2022 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Getty
"He's a promising young driver [but] hasn't driven in Formula 1 yet," Szafnauer told Sky Sports. "My wish for Oscar was he had a bit more integrity.
"He signed a bit of paper as well back in November and we've done everything on our end of the bargain to prepare him for Formula 1.
"His end of the bargain was to either drive for us or take a seat where we would place him for the next three years.
"I just wish Oscar would have remembered what he signed in November, what he signed up to."
With Alonso and Piastri out of the picture, it's understood Alpine is expected to try and lure Daniel Ricciardo back to Enstone, if the FIA's contract recognition board finds Piastri did not break any rules during his negotiations with McLaren.
Daniel Ricciardo could replace Oscar Piastri at Alpine. Getty
"The team speaks very highly of Daniel and his time here," Szafnauer said. "We haven't had those strategic discussions yet but everybody that I ask, the engineering team, they really speak highly of his skill as a driver and a team motivator.
"We've got to look forward now and fill the open seat with the best driver."
Alpine had planned to loan Piastri to Williams for an apprenticeship while Alonso continued in his seat, but the Spaniard's sudden switch following Sebastian Vettel's retirement set the wheels in motion.
Alpine insists it still has a contractual rights regarding Piastri's deal, with the matter to undergo arbitration.
"I think the right thing for us is to go to the CRB on Monday and see how that pans out and then start looking at some negotiations in earnest," Szafnauer said.
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