Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer took a swipe at Oscar Piastri while he shed some light on the situation with the young driver. The French team announced earlier this month the Australian would replace Fernando Alonso next season, with the Spaniard set to join Aston Martin.
However, the 21-year-old announced soon after he would not be joining Alpine and was instead keen on a move to McLaren with Daniel Ricciardo on the move. As he is the team’s reserve driver, Alpine have said Piastri is contractually obligated to drive for them on the F1 grid next year, something Szafnauer says the youngster signed up for since last year. The American began by saying he believes Piastri has signed a deal with McLaren.
“He’s a promising young driver, hasn’t driven in Formula 1 yet," Szafnauer told Sky Sports F1. "My wish for Oscar was that he had a bit more integrity as well. He signed a piece of paper as well back in November and we’ve done everything on our end to prepare him for F1.
“His end of the bargain was to either drive for us or take a seat where we would place him for the next three years and I just wished Oscar remembered what he signed in November and what he signed up to.”
Meanwhile, Ricciardo will no longer be part of McLaren’s set-up next year after agreeing to leave the team this week. He is open to a return to Alpine, a team he spent two seasons with, answering with a resounding "Yes,” when asked if he was interested in rejoining the team. “I don't know how else to say that. I'd say, if it's right." When he asked if the team would have the 33-year-old back in their ranks, Szafnauer said: “The team speaks very highly of Daniel and his time here.
“We haven’t had those strategic discussions yet but everybody that I’ve asked, the engineering team, they really speak highly of his skill as a driver and a team motivator.” Ricciardo represented Alpine when the team was known as Renault from 2019-2020, and said he departed on good terms. "I think how it ended, yes,” he added.
“It was a little bit awkward for a bit, but once we were racing and had the year we had I think everyone saw I was dedicated to make the most of that year.
"We'll see what feels right, and is right but it's purely going to be on where I feel I an be the most competitive.
"Under the right circumstances, the right opportunity, absolutely it's where I want to be but obviously I might not have every option available."
