Australian rising star Oscar Piastri is one step closer towards a dream Formula 1 debut, with the 20-year-old joining McLaren’s pool of reserve drivers as an insurance policy if they require a stand-in.
Piastri, who won the Formula 2 Championship last year, was unveiled as Alpine’s reserve driver ahead of the highly-anticipated 2022 season.
https://twitter.com/AlpineF1Team/status/1502645695362351104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The deal was ratified between both teams this morning as McLaren already had an arrangement with Mercedes, which allows them to use Stoffel Vandoorne or Nyck de Vries.
Alpine announced McLaren could have Piastri driving their car if Britain’s Lando Norris or countryman Daniel Ricciardo were unable to compete.
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“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,” Alpine posted to Twitter.
The announcement comes after Ricciardo tested positive to Covid-19 and missed several days of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit.
However, McLaren expects the 32-year-old to recover before next weekend’s season opener in Bahrain.
“McLaren Racing can confirm that after feeling unwell from Wednesday onwards in Bahrain, Daniel Ricciardo has now returned a positive PCR test for Covid-19,” McLaren said in a statement.
“Daniel is therefore continuing to isolate in accordance with local regulations. Under these regulations Daniel will be released in time for next weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
“Daniel is already beginning to feel better, and we wish him well for a quick recovery.”
Piastri, is not in a full-time seat this season, and is instead an understudy to two-time champion Fernando Alonso and his team mate Esteban Ocon at Alpine.
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