Seidl was in on the whole deal as well as Alonso, Webber, Flavio and Oscar.
Alonso and Flavio aren't getting the deal they want at Alpine (2 years in F1) and are only being offered 1 year with an option or a transfer to WEC. Webber, Alonso and Flavio are all mates so Webber is aware of this and he needs to get his man Piastri into a race seat for 2023 and at the moment that isn't happening at Alpine for 2023 as Alonso is either there for 2 years or 1, so Oscar is going to Williams for 1 year or possibly 2. not the best result, likely better options out there.
Webber and Seidl go way back – won a WDC together at Porsche. No harm in Webber talking to Andreas and lining up an option for Oscar at McLaren if Ric decides he's had enough and Alonso stays put at Alpine. if it doesn't work out Oscar still has a race seat at Williams for next year and a contract with Alpine.
By all reports Stroll is very astute and likes having a WDC in his team – good for the brand and good for Lance. He also knows that Alonso is struggling to make a deal at Alpine. When Vettel puts in his notice Stroll is straight on the phone to Flavio – "Have I got a deal for your man!" = long term deal in F1, plenty of $$$ in his pocket and going to team that are investing plenty in engineering talent to climb the ladder. Alonso knows that he isn't winning a WDC at Aston in the near future, but he isn't doing that at Alpine either. Not much to lose. Flavio, Alonso and Stroll sit down and do a deal.
Flavio is on the blower to Webber: "we've done a deal for Nando to go to Aston – your boy is in at Alpine. Happy days bud". Webber replies "keep a lid on it Flav, I've got a few plates in the air – I'll get back to you".
Otmar and Alpine are none the wiser.
This is where it gets interesting. Webber and Macca have done a good option deal for Piastri at McLaren for 2023 provided that Alpine don't put him in the main team for next year. More money than Alpine were prepared to pay and it's a long term deal. Alpine has until 31 July to give him a race seat in the main team or he can walk if he's offered anything else i.e. a seat a Williams. Webber is on the blower to Andreas "mate, between you and me, Fernando's walking from Alpine – deals done. I have Nando and Flav holding off on announcing his switch so the Alpine option on Oscar lapses in our favour and he's free to take up the contract we've signed with you. You and Zac need to work out if you're keeping Danny ASAP otherwise Oscar is in the Alpine."
Seidl is thinking 'we need to move fast if we want to get someone decent in the second seat – there's not much talent out there if Ric leaves now or at the end of next year – best get Oscar while we can'. I can pay out Ric now and he can go look for another drive. Oscar will be cheap so no real financial penalty there – he is F1's hottest new talent, we've had him in our sim and the boy is very quick indeed and runs rings around Ric in F1 2022 on the XBOX. I don't want to lose him to Alpine. He'll make up our losses in paying out Ric in extra points and PR. I'll tell Ric after the GP (Hungarian) that we don't want him next year and he's free to go look for a drive elsewhere with a pocket full of cash. Our contract with Oscar is solid after 31 July and Otmar will get caught with his pants down because he has no idea that Nando has been poached by AM to replace Seb. This is going to be epic. Better ring Zac.'
Siedl calls Webber "it's on champ". Webber rings Falvio "Andreas is giving Danny the flick – he wants Oscar. I've got a good deal for Piastri at Macca next year, it's sealed and I don't want him to end up in the Alpine. Wait until after 31 July to announce Nando at AM so I know Oscar doesn't have anything solid at Alpine – then we're all good."
31 July....
Alonso announces he's going to AM. Otmar is not happy but he's got Oscar so announces he's in the main seat for next year. Oscar calls "bull" on that and here we are. Oscar to McLaren. Ric spending his holidays looking for a drive for next year and will likely end up at Alpine (good for Ric IMHO).