Oscar Piastri will race for McLaren in 2023 in place of compatriot Daniel Ricciardo, insider reports reveal.
Whilst no announcement has officially been made, a previous statement made by Alpine that the 21-year-old will race for them next season was refuted by the driver in a now-viral social media post. This meant the 2023 seat of Piastri could have gone to a number of teams, with Williams tipped as one of the most likely options.
According to RacingNews365, an insider source revealed McLaren sought confirmation from the FIA contract recognition board that Piastri would belong to them and not Alpine, which the FIA recognised as true. No contact existed between Piastri and Alpine after 2022, meaning the Australian is free to sign with whomever.
Alpine may choose to contest these findings, however no announcement announcing this has also been made.
With Ricciardo on contract until the end of next year, it was not expected McLaren could be a potential home for the Australian. Now, if these reports are correct, McLaren will most likely have to pay the 8-time race winner out of his contract in order to secure Piastri’s full-time drive.
Doing so will be expensive for the team, however the form of Ricciardo has been inconsistent in 2022, seeing him currently sitting 12th in the drivers standings with only 19 points. In comparison, teammate Lando Norris has 76 points and is seventh.
The move could see Ricciardo without a drive for 2023, however a return to Alpine may not be out of the question. Haas, Williams and Alfa Romeo also remain without confirmed drivers for 2023.
It is seen that McLaren concludes exit talks with Ricciardo before any Piastri signing announcement.
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