An excellent start to the 2025 F1 season sees 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Oscar Piastri lead꧒ing the championship and viewed as t🌟he title favourite, but his career trajectory could have looked very different.

Piastri claimed his fourth win from six races - and third consecutive victory - with another clinical drive at the Miami Grand Prix to extend his advantage at the top of the championship to 16 points over McLaren teammate168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: Lando Norris.

The 24-year-old Australian now has six career wins with a McLaren team emerging from the winter in 🔜a dominant position having triumphed to a first const🐬ructors’ crown since 1998 last year.

But had events played out differently, Piastri cou🌞ld have made his F1 debut elsewhere.

Oscar Piastri-Alpine saga explained

A contract saga took place over the summer of 2022 when Piastri, then Alpine’s reserve driver after winning back-to-back titles in Formula 3 and Formula 2, was announced as 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Fernando Alonso’s replacement following the two-time world champion’s shock decision to qꦓuit a🉐nd join rivals Aston Martin.

Piastri appeared to be set for an F1♐ promotion with Alpine in 2023 but issued a remarkable statement on social media that went viral.

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

McLaren and Alpine's legal battle 

A 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:messy tug-of-war for Piastri’s services then ensued between McLaren and🐲 Alpine in a matter which went before F1’s Contract Recognition Board.

Alpine racked up over £500,000 in legal fees and ultimately missed out on Piastri, who👍 turned his back on the team that helped steer his career since he joined their driver academy in 2020 in favour ෴of a move to McLaren.

Prior to Alonso’s exit taking Alpine by surprise, the team had planned for Piastri to be♛ loaned out to Williams in 2023 for potentiall𓃲y up to two seasons, before returning to Alpine for 2025 on a firm two-year deal.

But Piastri and his manager, former Red Bull dr൲iver Mark Webber, decided it wou﷽ld be best to start looking at alternative options.

This is when McLaren entered the picture. Piastri and McLaren began positive negotiations and he was ultimately chosen to replace the underperforming 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Daniel Ricciardo and partner Norris for 2023.

Two seasons later, after some rapid progression and impressive displays i🧜n F1, Piastri is now regarded as one of the hottest prospects on the grid and finds himself in his first-ever title fight.

Considering Alpine’s competitive fortunes in recent years and the turbulence that continues to surround the team following a 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:bo🌌mbshell resignation and driver mess, it is clear 🍨Piastri dodged a bullet by taking the path he did.