The Alpine Formula 1 team must have been worried when they saw that Oscar Piastri had sent them another message on social media.
The young Australian created one of the most viral moments in the sport’s history before he had even made his debut.
He sent a six-word message to his old team on Instagram and couldn’t help but be slightly sarcastic in his reply.
READ MORE: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri’s life outside F1 from height to girlfriend
Oscar Piastri sends Instagram message to Alpine
For those that aren’t aware, in an ideal world for Alpine, Oscar Piastri would currently be their driver.
The 22-year-old was on the French team’s books as a youngster and dominated every series he entered.
After moving to Europe from Australia as a teenager, he won three series back-to-back on his way to Formula 1.
His victory in the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2019 saw him make the step up to Formula 3 the following year with PREMA.
He won that championship on his first attempt and completed the hat trick in Formula 2 in 2021.
With Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso racing for Alpine at the time, there was nowhere for Piastri to go and instead, the message was that he would hang around learning from both drivers for a year before being offered a race seat.
Alpine were very much of the opinion that this was the scenario anyway and posted on 2 August 2022 that he would be replacing the Spaniard in 2023.
However, Piastri had other ideas, leading to an iconic moment for F1 fans online.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Oscar Piastri makes his future clear on social media
On the evening of 2 August, Piastri took to Twitter and instead of a typical message expressing his excitement about getting his first opportunity in Formula 1, he denied that he had any agreement with Alpine.
He said: “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.”
Exactly one month later, McLaren made the announcement that they would be swapping one Aussie for another and Piastri would be partnering with Lando Norris.
It turned out to be an inspired call from Piastri, but that didn’t stop him from making fun of Alpine in a message ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Piastri not taking himself too seriously ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix
As part of a feature, Piastri and Ocon were racing radio-controlled cars on track and Alpine posted a picture with the caption: “Warming up for Suzuka, with RC Cars action @estebanocon @oscarpiastri.”
In the comments, Piastri couldn’t help himself and replied: “@alpinef1team had my permission for this post”
It’s unlikely Ocon came out on top in that battle given that Piastri got into motor racing by winning a remote-controlled car championship in Australia against adults at the age of nine.
However, Piastri’s message also shows that any ill-feeling between him and Alpine is very much water under the bridge.
That doesn’t mean either party will be taking it easy once it comes to racing on Sunday.
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