Oscar Piastri to McLaren!!

[bathurst77]

(Sort of)

Alpine has announced it has made its reserve driver Oscar Piastri available to McLaren to serve as a substitute for Daniel Ricciardo if needed.

McLaren confirmed yesterday Ricciardo had tested positive for Covid-19. He has not participated in this week’s test in Bahrain after falling ill two days ago.
Earlier today McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl said Ricciardo’s condition is improving and the team expect him to be able to take part in next weekend’s season-opening race. He said the team could call on Paul di Resta or Mercedes reserve drivers – Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries – as stand-ins if needed.

Alpine subsequently issued a statement announcing they would make their reserve driver Oscar Piastri available to McLaren if required.

“In the spirit of offering maximum racing opportunities to our stable of young talent, we have agreed that McLaren may call upon BWT Alpine F1 team reserve driver Oscar Piastri in the event one of their drivers is unable to race,” it said. “Oscar will remain fully contracted to Alpine, and we will retain first options on his services.”

McLaren did not approach Alpine regarding Piastri’s services, but will take him into consideration if a replacement is needed for Ricciardo.

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Anything that increases his chances to get a drive this year is great for him.
He can learn from Nando and Ocon all year hopefully get a few fridays or tests in the alpine and now there are 4 drivers he may get to sub for.
Happy days for him

[steve_r]

It's always a shame when there is nowhere in F1 for the F2 champ to go.

It's also a bit weird that Alpine have released this story to the whole world, when they could have just sent McLaren a private email.

It's even more weird that a big team like McLaren did not have a 3rd driver who is ready to slot in and ready to take part in the tests- especially considering the events of the last 2 years.

[EastonNeston]

I interpreted it as a unilateral move to attract attention by Alpine.

McLaren, like last season, have access to De Vries, Vandoorn and others as reserve driver. On non clashing weekends Pato O'Ward would be a possibility too.

This is just Alpine trying to attract publicity and gain info on McLaren, and Mercedes, systems.

[E.B]

Vandoorne and Di Resta are both under contract to run at Sebring in the World Endurance Championship, the same weekend as Bahrain.

Originally Posted by steve_r

It's always a shame when there is nowhere in F1 for the F2 champ to go.

It's also a bit weird that Alpine have released this story to the whole world, when they could have just sent McLaren a private email.

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer has stated “We’ve talked to McLaren about Oscar being a reserve if they need him. However that does not tell us how keen or receptive McLaren were on the idea...

Re Pato I would think given his lack of testing in an F1 car it might be career suicide for him.

[S griffin]

I can't see Vandoorne and di Resta wanting to come back to F1, they are happy where they are

I am sure Alpine still have first calls on Oscar. But it's nice of them to loan him off to McLaren if needed, not that I think they will, they have their own cluster of reserve drivers. And I can't see Pato in F1, he probably will stay where he is

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I can't see Vandoorne and di Resta wanting to come back to F1, they are happy where they are

I can't see either getting the opportunity.

[gert]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I can't see Vandoorne and di Resta wanting to come back to F1, they are happy where they are

I think it would just be a one-off race, so that's not really a case of 'wanting to come back'


That said, I think Vandoorne would be passed over again, anyway.

[AnnoyedMoose]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I can't see Vandoorne and di Resta wanting to come back to F1, they are happy where they are

If Vandoorne wasn't interested why accept a contract as one of the two Mercedes reserve drivers?

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by AnnoyedMoose

If Vandoorne wasn't interested why accept a contract as one of the two Mercedes reserve drivers?

I'm sure that such a position would carry some kind of financial (and possibly other) incentive?

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I can't see Vandoorne and di Resta wanting to come back to F1, they are happy where they are

Vandoorne definitely would, he was publically very disappointed to be past over for Russell for Sakhir 2020 - he'd love a chance to prove that he's a much better driver now than he showed against Alonso.

[Alfaholic]

Even if he was needed, I can't see Mercedes allowing one of their affiliated teams letting a Renault driver gain experience of their powertrain. Look at Williams & Alex Albon having to cut his ties with Red Bull/Honda before he could drive for them.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by steve_r

It's always a shame when there is nowhere in F1 for the F2 champ to go.

It's also a bit weird that Alpine have released this story to the whole world, when they could have just sent McLaren a private email.

It's even more weird that a big team like McLaren did not have a 3rd driver who is ready to slot in and ready to take part in the tests- especially considering the events of the last 2 years.

Makes perfect sense... Mr Piastri was linked to HAAS for a seat that was never on.. this shows the world that it wasnt Alpine that held him back..

(Mr Piastri's management - including Mark Webber - apparently put the kybosh on any possibility of a HAAS plan)

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

(Mr Piastri's management - including Mark Webber - apparently put the kybosh on any possibility of a HAAS plan)

Especially when they realised he wasn’t on their list anyway.