2021 FIA F2 champion Oscar Piastri will drive for McLaren in Formula 1 in 2023.
The Australian signed a multi-year contract with the Woking based squad after Alpine lost their appeal with Formula 1’s contract recognition board (CRB).
Piastri will partner British driver and F2 graduate Lando Norris and is entitled to race for McLaren in 2023 and 2024.
The CRB said: “The only contract to be recognised is the contact between McLaren and Piastri dated 4 July 2022. Piastri is entitled to drive for McLaren for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.”
Piastri was delighted to be making his F1 debut next year and is looking forward to racing alongside Norris.
He said: “I’m extremely excited to be making my F1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that’s been offered to me.
“The team has a long tradition of giving young talent a chance, and I’m looking forward to working hard alongside Lando to push the team towards the front of the grid. I’m focused on preparing for my F1 debut in 2023 and starting my F1 career in papaya.”
The 21-year-old performed admirably in Formula 2 winning the title in 2021 after dominating the Formula Renault Eurocup and FIA Formula 3, winning a trio of successive championships.
McLaren F1 Team Principal, Andreas Seidl added: “The entire team is delighted to welcome Oscar to McLaren for the 2023 F1 season.
“He has an impressive racing career to date, and we are sure that together with Lando, he will be able to help us move another step forward towards our ambitions.
“We still have an important job to do this season which the team remains focused on, before we will then ensure Oscar is integrated into the team as quickly as possible and ready for the challenges ahead.
“We look forward to preparing for an exciting 2023 season together.”
McLaren Racing CEO, Zak Brown added: “Oscar is one of the up-and-coming talents coming through the feeder series into F1 and we are delighted to see him join the team for 2023.
“Winning both F3 and F2 in successive rookie seasons is a real achievement and testament to his talent in single-seater racing.
“In Lando and Oscar we have a young, exciting F1 line-up with a huge amount of potential, standing us in good stead to achieve our future ambitions.
“Oscar is an exciting addition to the McLaren family, and we look forward to seeing him grow with our F1 team.”
Image: Oscar Piastri / Formula Motorsport Limited
