McLaren CEO Zak Brown doubts Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer is in the position of criticizing Oscar Piastri for lack of integrity.
Alpine announced earlier this month that Piastri will drive for the team in 2023. However, the Australian denied it hours later.
Piastri reportedly has an agreement with McLaren, although Alpine claim that the 21-year-old has an obligation to drive for them. Szafnauer said in Belgium that he wished Piastri had had “more integrity”.
Brown reacted to the comment and referred to Fernando Alonso’s Alpine departure as well as the penalty Racing Point led by Szafnauer received in 2020 for a violation of sporting regulations.
“Ultimately I don’t know any of the details between that relationship, so I think it would be unfair for me to take a position either way because I simply don’t know,” Brown told Sky Sports.
“But judging by recent times, the way Fernando [Alonso] has departed and caught Otmar by surprise, and not too long ago he is the recipient of a €400,000 fine and 15 points [deduction], I’m not sure he comes with the highest level of credibility and making accusations around ethics.”
