Sources: Oscar Piastri to replace Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren

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Sources: McLaren has informed Daniel Ricciardo it plans to replace him with Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri next season.


According to multiple reports, Ricciardo was informed of the decision by team boss Andreas Seidl following the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday evening. The two parties are now discussing a financial settlement to leave his contract a year early.

ESPN has reported from information from multiple sources that McLaren and Piastri have signed a deal for next year. On Tuesday, Alpine surprisingly made an announcement that Piastri would replace Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso. Piastri tweeted an hour later stating he would not be racing for Alpine in 2023. Alpine's appeal to the FIA contract recognition board would be the only thing stopping Piastri joining McLaren.



If McLaren's contract with Piastri is upheld, Ricciardo appears to be the frontrunner for the Alpine seat the fellow Australian did not want for the 2023 season. Ricciardo raced at Alpine when it was known as Renault in the 2019 and 2020 seasons before shockingly leaving for McLaren ahead of the 2021 season.

New Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer recently stated he would have no objections with Ricciardo rejoining the team. This change could be very beneficial for Ricciardo, once one of the top drivers on the grid, he has not been in that form since 2020 at Renault.

Both McLaren and Alpine are perceived to be evenly matched heading into the 2023 season, and with both teams battling for 4th in the championship this year it could make for some early season fireworks in 2023. It is believed McLaren will stall on the announcement of Piastri until Ricciardo officially finds a seat for next year.

Oscar Piastri (21) would be joining Lando Norris (22), giving McLaren one of the best young driver pairings F1 has ever seen. 


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