Piastri delivers a classic quip after Alpine close call at Austrian GP
Oscar Piastri’s Near-Miss with Alpine Sparks Hilarious Radio Comment
Oscar Piastri delivered a memorable moment at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday when his former team, Alpine, inadvertently played a role in a surprising near-miss during the race. The McLaren driver, known for his sharp wit as much as his racing skills, responded with a hilariously pointed comment on the team radio that quickly caught the attention of fans and pundits alike.
The Incident at Lap 55
The incident occurred on Lap 55, with Piastri pushing hard in pursuit of his teammate, Lando Norris, for the lead. As Piastri tried to thread his way through backmarkers exiting Turn 3, an Alpine driven by Franco Colapinto came dangerously close to colliding with him. Colapinto, who was locked in his own battle with Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda, seemingly failed to notice Piastri approaching and inadvertently forced the Australian off the track, sending him onto the grass.
In an unbroadcasted radio message, Piastri vented his frustration with biting humor:
"Alpine still manages to find a way to f--- me over all these years later, huh."
The quip gained additional significance given Piastri’s tumultuous history with the French team, making it one of the standout moments of the day.
Piastri’s History with Alpine
The 24-year-old Australian’s meteoric rise through Formula 1 has been marked by controversy, particularly surrounding his split from Alpine. Piastri originally joined Renault’s junior academy in January 2020, which later transitioned into Alpine’s program. By mid-2022, Alpine announced their plans to promote him to their Formula 1 team for the upcoming season—a move that Piastri publicly denied, asserting he had never signed any such contract.
The matter escalated as the FIA’s contract recognition board ruled in Piastri's favor, confirming his deal with McLaren. Piastri later explained his decision to leave Alpine, citing a "breakdown in trust" and calling the handling of his situation by Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer "bizarre and upsetting."
Sunday’s incident seemed to echo the tumultuous relationship between Piastri and his former employer, albeit unintentionally.
Consequences and Recovery
For his role in the near-collision, Colapinto was handed a five-second penalty and a penalty point after the race. Reflecting on the error, the Alpine driver said:
“I just didn’t see him. He was in my blind spot and I was focused on Tsunoda. I really wanted to get past.”
Despite the setback, Piastri regrouped and finished the race in second place behind teammate Norris, narrowing his championship lead to 15 points. It was yet another demonstration of why Piastri has quickly become one of the sport's standout stars, blending composure under pressure and undeniable racing prowess.
Looking Ahead with McLaren Momentum
While the Alpine saga may be in the past, Piastri’s wry sense of humor ensured the drama remains firmly etched in the minds of Formula 1 fans. With McLaren continuing to deliver strong performances, Piastri heads into the summer stretch of the championship battle with momentum firmly on his side.
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