Fernando Alonso’s sudden decision to sign for Aston Martin for 2023, plus Oscar Piastri’s refusal to replace him, has left Alpine in a very delicate situation. An old acquaintance, Daniel Ricciardo, could be the solution.
Alpine is at the center of a hurricane that could end either way. Fernando Alonso lit the fuse with his decision to go to Aston Martin and Oscar Piastri has finished burning Enstone with his rejection of the statement issued by the team on Tuesday afternoon.
Now, Alpine has to find a driver to accompany Esteban Ocon in 2023. Their first choice is the aforementioned Piastri, but the aussie is determined to impose his wishes about those of the team to which he belonged until July 31 (at least that is what certain information affirms) that fit with the succession of events.
“We have to make sure we complement the plan with the best driver we can”
If finally Piastri ceases to be a viable option for Alpine, the best placed to replace him is another old acquaintance of Renault: Daniel Ricciardo. The also Australian driver does not adapt to McLaren, a team he came from Renault.
It’s known that McLaren wants to get rid of Ricciardo and it is also known that Piastri wants to land in Woking. If Renault agreed to take back a driver who left a feeling of betrayal when he left the project, then all parties would have what they are looking for.
Ricciardo is an option
Otmar Szafnauer is aware that Alpine has few options at the moment, so signing an old acquaintance would be an acceptable alternative. In addition, Daniel Ricciardo already knows that in the Enstone team he is capable of performing at his best level, something that he has not achieved at McLaren.
“If you look at Fernando, for example, he comes and goes, and I think that happens to other drivers as well.. And I don’t think that’s a problem at all. I think what we have to focus on is the plans we have for the next 89-88 races”, said the Alpine director on Tuesday morning, before the Piastrigate took place.
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“We have to make sure we complement that plan with the best driver we can, and there are some options for us. We will put the best pilot next to Esteban (Ocon), so that we can move towards what we have been planning »reiterated a Szafnauer who was aware that the Piastri option was not at all assured.
Piastri, a new Button case?
In fact, Szafnauer reminded the press of the Jenson Button case, which in 2005 he signed a contract with Williams having another in force with BAR. Finally, a court agreed with the latter and the Briton had to stay with what would later become Honda and BrawnGP, with whom he won the world title in 2009.
“I’ve been around long enough and I’ve seen this kind of thing happen. When Jenson (Button) signed with Williams and ended up at British American Racing Honda, if you remember those days, there was absolutely no problem. I know Oscar is different than Jenson. I hope we don’t have to go down that road, anyway.”noted Szafnauer, who was at BAR at the time.
“Your presumption was: ‘Oh, a driver wants to go to another team. Hope it’s not the case. But I have already seen a driver signed with another team incorrectly, so he had to drive for the team he initially signed with. And there was no problem. Jenson at the time did a stellar job at BAR, and he never ended up at Williams.”he concluded, involuntarily predicting what would happen hours later.
Font: motorsport.com
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Photos: Alpine F1 Team | McLaren Racing