Ricciardo sympathised with Piastri: 'People were making assumptions'

Webber and Piastri's handling of the deal with McLaren could face criticism, especially from Australia. Ricciardo's contract at the British racing stable was bought off to make way for his younger compatriot and it was later revealed that the deal with Piastri had been in place for months when Ricciardo was told he had to leave.

Piastri and Webber were hit hard when the deal was submitted to the FIA Contract Recognition Board, with Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer accusing the young Australian of a lack of integrity and loyalty. The pair were also pilloried online and on social media, but Ricciardo insists the issue cannot be blamed on them.

Ricciardo does not blame Piastri and Webber

According to the former McLaren driver, it happened by chance and he does not think the timing was deliberate to disadvantage him. He therefore does not blame his successor for anything. "He was in the situation, but it’s not like he created the situation. It was just a product of all these things happening."

Webber is not to blame either, according to Ricciardo. "Of course Mark has a job to do as well, trying to find his driver a seat," he continued. He does understand that people perceive it as a kind of betrayal against their compatriot, but he didn't see it that way himself. "I certainly didn’t view it like that or take it as it seemed from the outside. We were all just trying to do the best we could."

Despite Piastri getting his seat, Ricciardo does not blame his successor at all and even says he sympathises with him. During the Zandvoort Grand Prix weekend, barely a week after his resignation was confirmed, he even called Piastri to congratulate him. Around the same time, Webber also sought out Ricciardo to apologise for the messy situation.

Ricciardo sympathised with Piastri

The outbound Australian wanted to avoid Piastri's long-awaited debut being marked by the messy goings-on and sympathised with his criticised compatriot. "Don't get me wrong, of course my career was kind of in a way going tits up, so I was certainly very occupied with myself in trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do."

At the same time, he was aware of some of the comments directed at his successor. "I felt for him. It should be the biggest moment of your life, getting into Formula 1. It's a dream come true. If it can’t really be enjoyed or celebrated, it’s a bit of a shame," said Ricciardo, who will return to Red Bull Racing next year in the role of third driver.

Ricciardo therefore encourages his Australian fans to get to know Piastri before judging him. "No one really knows him yet as well as a driver, as a character, as an individual. It’s a little harsh that he’s getting some stick when people are just making their own assumptions. So I felt for him," Ricciardo said.