'McLaren has informed Ricciardo their intention to end his 2023 contract'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
The soap opera surrounding Oscar Piastri and Alpine is in full swing. It is starting to look more and more like the young Australian has reached an agreement with McLaren, but the team would have to tear up the contract with Daniel Ricciardo. According to Motorsport.com this has already happened.
'McLaren set to end Ricciardo's 2023 F1 contract'
McLaren are said to have officially informed Ricciardo of its intention to terminate his contract early and thus make way for the arrival of Piastri. The Woking-based team is said to have initially contracted Piastri as a reserve driver for 2023, with the option of upgrading that contract to a permanent race seat. This is on the assumption that an agreement will be reached about the early departure of Ricciardo, who still has a contract until the end of 2023.
The team will now have to ensure that it reaches an agreement with the 33-year-old Australian, who recently expressed his desire to sit out his contract. McLaren CEO Zak Brown pointed out earlier in the season that the team has the option to terminate the driver's contract early, but will have to be prepared to pay a substantial ransom for doing so. It is not inconceivable that Ricciardo will then move back to Alpine and take the place originally intended for Piastri.