Major trouble for Oscar Piastri as Alpine announces their readiness for a legal battle

The tussle between Alpine, the Renault-owned team, and Australian Formula One driver Oscar Piastri is getting intense day by day. This started exactly a week ago when the team announced its collaboration with the Aussie "Alpine now looks forward to seeing the next stage in his F1 career alongside Esteban Ocon," said Alpine in a press release.

Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer had said that the Piastri is a bright and rare talent. The former added the team is proud to have nurtured and supported him. Otmar rated the Aussie very highly during the announcement

“Oscar is a bright and rare talent. We are proud to have nurtured and supported him through the difficult pathways of the junior formulae.

"Through our collaboration over the past four years, we have seen him develop and mature into a driver who is more than capable of taking the step up to Formula 1.

"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.

"Together, we believe the duo will give us the continuity we need to achieve our long-term goal of challenging for wins and championships,” Otmar Szafnauer said.

However, a few hours later 21-year-old player took to Twitter and claimed that he hasn't signed a contract.

"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," posted Piastri on social media.

"This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year."

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.

— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) August 2, 2022

Now, the Formula One team's principal has said that they are certainly going to court. He added that if the Melbourne-born player decides to sit out, they will head to the high court for compensation.

“Going to the high court is over 90 per cent certain that’s what we will do,” Otmar was quoted as saying by SportsTiger.

“If the CRB says you license is only valid at Alpine,’ and Piastri decides to sit out but not race for Alpine, then you have to go to the high court for compensation,” said Szafnauer.

The team had named Oscar as the reserve driver for the 2023 season.