F1 | Piastri joins McLaren's pool of reserve drivers but Seidl expects Ricciardo to be back for Bahrain GP
Alpine F1 Team have allowed McLaren to share Oscar Piastri as the Australian has joined the ever increasing pool of McLaren resrve drivers. However Andreas Seidl told the media, including MotorLAT, that the team ‘expect Daniel to be back in good shape next week’.
Daniel Ricciardo was unable to take part in Bahrain’s Pre-season test due to feeling unwell. This illness was then confirmed as being COVID-19 after a McLaren team statement. As such, speculation is rife whether Ricciardo will be on the grid for the first race of the season next weekend in Bahrain. McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl spoke to the media, including MotorLAT, to confirm that the team ‘expect Daniel to be back in good shape next week’. Nevertheless, Alpine F1 Team have been quick to offer the services of Ricciardo’s fellow Australian - Oscar Piastri. The 2021 F2 Drivers' Champion is now part of McLaren's vast pool of reserve drivers.
Once it was announced this past Friday that Daniel Ricciardo had returned a positive PCR test for COVID-19, after feeling unwell from Wednesday onwards in Bahrain, Alpine F1 Team did not wait long to announce a new agreement between themselves and McLaren:
“In the spirit of offering maximum racing opportunities to our stable of young talent, we have agreed that McLaren may call upon BWT Alpine F1 Team Reserve Driver Oscar Piastri in the event one of their drivers is unable to race,” tweeted Alpine.
Oscar Piastri, 2021 Formula Two Drivers’ Champion, is a highly fancied racer and it is no surprise to see Alpine F1 Team want to get some F1 mileage under the belt of their future star. Although, Piastri will remain fully contracted to Alpine F1 Team. Nevertheless, one can only guess how Daniel Ricciardo would feel seeing his talented countryman take his seat – albeit temporarily.
However, McLaren are hardly in short supply of reserve drivers, as they have an existing agreement with Mercedes, as highlighted by McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl in his comments to the media which included MotorLAT:
“In terms of reserve drivers, similar to previous years we have an agreement with Mercedes where we share reserve drivers [Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck deVries]. We also have Paul di Resta similar to last year on standby in case it’s needed, but again I expect Daniel to be back in good shape next week.”
Sky F1, during their broadcast of the Bahrain pre-season test, also pondered who McLaren may call on should the need arise. They concluded that even though Stoffel Vandoorne, is scheduled to race in IMSA for Meyer Shank Racing at Sebring, they are sure the Woking-based team could acquire his services if needed.
Not only this, but it was announced on Saturday that American sensation Colton Herta will test with the McLaren during 2022, using a one-year old car from last season.
In an ideal world, Daniel Ricciardo will complete his isolation on Thursday – the day before Free Practice One for the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix. A plan which is very much what team principal Andreas Seidl is expecting:
“I’m confident he will be fit again next weekend,” Seidl said. “He’s feeling better already but as we know it simply takes a few days until you are fully back in good shape.”
Unfortunately, having only managed a day and a half of pre-season in Barcelona, the question was posed to Seidl as to what kind of performance could be expected from the Honey Badger when he finally returns to the seat of his MCL36.
“In terms of preparation going into the season obviously that’s not what we’ll be aiming for,” Seidl admitted in his post pre-season testing remarks. “It definitely puts us and Daniel on the back foot as well but in the end that’s something Daniel couldn’t control, we simply have to accept that’s how it is.
“With the experience Daniel has and going also now into the second year together with the team, I’m still optimistic that the small disadvantage that he will have starting the race weekend next week, that hopefully it doesn’t take that long until it is fully compensated for.”
Daniel Ricciardo is certainly an experienced racer with 8 victories in Formula One to his name. Unfortunately, there will always be somebody waiting to take your crown or in this case – your seat. Hopefully, Ricciardo can return to the track next week as planned and keep those vying for his place at bay a little longer. One thing is for sure though, McLaren have plenty of drivers queuing up for whenever opportunity does eventually come knocking – either this year, or the next!
