Ricciardo has a permanent contract with McLaren for next season as part of the original three-year deal he signed at the start of 2020 while still at Renault. Ricciardo and the team will now have to agree a settlement that includes a substantial payout in order for him to leave at the end of this season. It is understood he is not interested in moving sideways in the team’s Formula E program and is determined to find another place in F1. The Woking club are confident they can keep Piastri despite Alpine claiming they have a valid contract with the youngster until 2023. Enstone’s team made an announcement about it on Tuesday, which was then disputed by Piastri on social media. Oscar Piastri, reserve driver, Alpine F1 Team Photo by: Motorsport Images It is believed that Piastri’s ability to leave Alpine is based on the claim that the 2023 deal with the team was never properly signed. The July 31 date – widely believed to be related to a pick the team had on him – is thought to be of little significance. The dispute looks set to go to the Contract Recognition Board, although there is also some question as to whether Alpine actually submitted a contract with the CRB covering 2023. It has emerged that McLaren began investigating the possibility of hiring Piastri several weeks ago as they looked for potential replacements for Ricciardo. McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl is close to Piastri’s manager Mark Webber, having worked with him with Porsche in the FIA World Endurance Championship. At the time, Piastri looked set to join Williams on a loan deal that would see him return to Alpine in 2024 or possibly 2025. However, after McLaren showed interest, it emerged that Piastri could eventually be a free agent for 2023, and with the Woking outfit seen as a step up from Williams, negotiations became more serious. Meanwhile, Ricciardo is clearly high on the list of possible replacements for Fernando Alonso at Alpine, although he upset Renault’s top management when he agreed to move to McLaren, and that hurdle will have to be overcome. Haas could also be an option if Mick Schumacher pulls out as expected, although in theory Ferrari have a claim on who takes the seat. Sometimes repayment deals like the one Ricciardo is set to receive can be affected by the driver concerned finding a seat elsewhere. When Kimi Raikkonen retired from Ferrari at the end of 2009, he spent two years out of F1 in part so he could keep the full amount. However, it is understood that given the sums required to fulfill Ricciardo’s original deal, one scenario is that even if he does end up elsewhere, he could end up being paid by McLaren not to race for the team in 2023. Read also:
