George Russell was one of those tickled by Alexander Albon's joke at the expense of Alpine amid their ongoing contract dispute with Oscar Piastri.
Tuesday proved to be one of the strangest F1 news days in recent memory as things kicked off between the Enstone-based team and their Australian reserve driver. Alpine said he would be replacing Fernando Alonso in 2023, but it wasn't long before Piastri released a statement of his own denying that he had signed any deal.
"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," he wrote on social media. "This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year."
News of an announcement from Williams at 3pm on Wednesday sparked rumours of a shock signing, but it proved to be reserved for Albon's new contract. The British-Thai racer has signed a multi-year deal which will see him stay with the historic team for at least two more seasons.
And he celebrated by repeating Piastri's statement almost word-for-word, while tailoring it to his own situation. "I understand that, with my agreement, Williams Racing have put out a press release this afternoon that I am driving for them next year," he said. "This is right and I have signed a contract with Williams for 2023. I will be driving for Williams next year."
Piastri himself saw the funny side of the joke, as he responded by congratulating Albon on his new contract. "Congrats mate," he wrote, before adding a GIF with the caption: "Well done sir, that was very good".
And Albon's good friend Russell was another who found the whole thing hilarious. "Love that," wrote the Mercedes racer alongside two laughing emojis. And former Caterham and Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson also enjoyed it, and called Albon a "legend".
It remains to be seen what happens next in the Piastri saga. By announcing his signing without the driver's consent, Alpine are clearly confident that the contract they have with their reserve driver gives them the power to promote him to a race seat without fear of him going elsewhere.
But the same can be said of Piastri's own statement. His assertion that he "will not be driving for Alpine next year" indicates that he already has another seat lined up. That could be with Williams, who are yet to reveal Albon's team-mate for 2023, while reports suggest his manager Mark Webber has also been in negotiations with McLaren.
