The Board of Contracts decides from this Monday the future of Oscar Piastri

BERLIN, Aug. 29 (dpa/EP) -

The hearing of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) on the contract dispute between Alpine and McLaren over the driver Oscar Piastri has begun this Monday, a virtual meeting of the Contract Recognition Board that will decide the future of the Australian in Formula 1.

During the mid-season break, Alpine announced that Piastri, its reserve driver and part of its young driver programme, would race for the team in 2023 following the departure of Spaniard Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin.

However, the Australian later denied that announcement on social networks; Both Piastri and his agent, former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, assured that the young man has a valid contract to sign for McLaren, which wants him to replace his compatriot Daniel Ricciardo next year.

With both teams believing they have a valid contract with Piastri, the FIA ​​will resolve the situation at a hearing this week and, although no set timeframe has been set, a result is expected to be reached before Friday.

The FIA's Contract Recognition Board, which was set up in 1992 to resolve a dispute between Jordan and Bennetton over Michael Schumacher, will hear the case.

Although the FIA ​​could side with Alpine, the French outfit may feel the relationship is too damaged to partner in 2023 and could hand over to McLaren, or move the driver elsewhere on the grid, amid interest in Pierre Gasly, now in AlphaTauri.

Either way, the seat that remains available at Alpine or McLaren will become an object of desire for drivers to secure a place for 2023.

AlphaTauri, Williams, Alfa Romeo and Haas are the other teams left on the grid that have not announced their full driver line-up for next season.