Perhaps the biggest controversy of the mid-season involved Alpine, McLaren, and Oscar Piastri. The constructors were both fighting for the Australian driver to drive for them next year. Alpine even announced that Piastri signed a contract with them and would drive for them next year. However, Piastri quickly denied signing any such contract on his Twitter.

The saga continued when McLaren signed Oscar and Alpine challenged the decision at the Contract Recognition Board. However, McLaren emerged as the victorious side as the CRB ruled the decision in their favor. Later, Alpine was thought to be evaluating their relationship with the Aussie driver. They even considered an early release, allowing him to join the Papaya team earlier than expected.

But Alpine look to keep the Australian driver till the end of the season. When asked if Alpine signing Gasly would help the Woking-based constructors secure an early release for Piastri, the McLaren team principal denied the chances of that happening.

Andreas Seidl said, “I don’t think it changes a lot really. They’re still planning to keep going with the program, as far as I understand, with Oscar until the end of the season. Therefore, there’s no news, really.”

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McLaren hoped for the Australian to partake as a young driver in an FP1 session this year. However, with Alpine holding Piastri’s release, 2 IndyCar stars will engage in those sessions in Austin and Abu Dhabi.

McLaren hands out F1 debut for IndyCar stars Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward

McLaren has announced that two IndyCar stars will debut for them and drive the MCL36 in FP1 sessions. Spanish driver and 2021 IndyCar champion Alex Palou will take part in FP1 at the upcoming United States GP replacing Daniel Ricciardo. Meanwhile, Mexican driver Pato O’Ward will be driving Lando Norris‘ car in FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The 2021 IndyCar champion said, “I’m so excited to be making my F1 weekend debut. It’s great to be driving in the United States in front of fans that may have seen me race in IndyCar. Having driven the 2021 McLaren MCL35M in a few tests now, I can’t wait to put the MCL36 through its paces.”

Whereas Pato O’Ward said, “I can’t wait to get out on track in Abu Dhabi. I’ve developed as a driver and had a lot of fun testing last year’s car with the team, so it will be a great experience to drive the MCL36. Thank you McLaren F1 for the opportunity.”

The Papaya team has taken big strides toward getting more drivers from American Racing into the pinnacle of motorsport. American Racing fans will be excited to watch IndyCar drivers ply their trades in an F1 car.

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Whether Alpine is playing a strategic game against McLaren is unknown, but holding Piastri till the end of the season has forced McLaren to find alternatives to fulfill the mandated rookie driver outings in the F1’s regulations. With 2 IndyCar stars taking the McLaren wheel, it will be interesting to watch how they fare in an F1 car.