Confirmed: Oscar Piastri races with Alpine F1 Team for 2023, or is he?

It's been confirmed yesterday (2/8/22), current Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri will race with the Alpine F1 Team, for the 2023 Formula 1 season. However, an hour later, Piastri, via a thread on Twitter, denounced Alpine's announcement, stating that he had not signed a contract with the team and that he would not be driving for them in 2023.

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

Alpine reportedly remained adamant however that Piastri would be legally and contractually obliged to drive for them in the 2023 season. Following these developments media began suggesting that Piastri was a potential candidate in line to replace Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren for 2023, if allowed to leave Alpine.

The story evoked comparisons to the contract dispute involving Jenson Button back when he tried to leave British American Racing and join Williams for 2005 which ultimately saw the sports' Contract Recognition Board rule in favour of the former mentioned team meaning Button was unable to leave for Williams for that season, with suggestions Piastri's dispute could be resolved in similar method.

In my opinion, it was surprising that the news and the tweet happen. My guess Alpine thought they had Alonso deal done and forgot the deadline for Piastri, he was set to be loan out to Williams for next season. Although, that is off the table now. It's gonna be intresting few months ahead for all parties.

Formula 1 can be a soap opera sometimes according to my boss.