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'This is unreal': Aussie young gun at centre of shock F1 announcement

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo, pictured here on the track.
Oscar Piastri could make a shock F1 debut for McLaren if Daniel Ricciardo can't race. Image: Getty

Daniel Ricciardo's Covid blow has opened the door for Aussie young gun Oscar Piastri to make a potential debut in Formula One.

McLaren believe Ricciardo will be fit for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix next week after he contracted Covid-19 on Friday.

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However his absence could offer up a shock opportunity for the latest Australian motor racing star.

Alpine have offered their reserve driver Piastri - who is seen as one of Formula One's future superstars - as a stand-in for McLaren.

It raises the tantalising prospect that the 20-year-old from Melbourne could be drafted in for a shock F1 debut in Bahrain if his compatriot can't make it.

Piastri could also debut if anything happens to Ricciardo's teammate Lando Norris.

McLaren believe Ricciardo will be fine to race in Bahrain, even while admitting he'll be starting the season firmly on the back foot after illness prevented him getting in crucial testing laps this weekend.

The British team's principal Andreas Seidl is counting on the 32-year-old's experience and big race nous to help him next weekend as he'll barely have had any time before coming out of isolation.

McLaren originally had at least three drivers who could replace Ricciardo, with Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries - reserve drivers for power unit supplier Mercedes - and Scot Paul di Resta the potential back-ups.

Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri, pictured here at the launch of the new A522 BWT Alpine F1 car.
Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri (R) at the launch of the new A522 BWT Alpine F1 car. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images)

But Alpine have offered up an attractive new proposition, announcing in a statement that "in the spirit of offering maximum racing opportunities to our stable of young talent, we have agreed that McLaren may call upon Oscar Piastri in the event one of their drivers is unable to race."

"Oscar will remain fully contracted to Alpine, and we will retain first options on his services," the British-based team added.

Piastri has been left somewhat frustrated after winning the Formula Two title last year in brilliant fashion.

The young Aussie has had no racing opportunities this term as he understudies Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso.

Ricciardo himself is a great admirer of Piastri's talent, saying last year: "He didn't just win the F2 title, he dominated."

McLaren expect Daniel Ricciardo to race in Bahrain

McLaren's German boss Seidl said on the final day of testing on Saturday: "I expect Daniel to be back in good shape next week."

Ricciardo is due to isolate until Thursday March 17, with the three-day Grand Prix fare in Bahrain beginning with practice the following day.

"He's feeling better already but, as we know, it simply takes a few days until you are fully back in good shape," Seidl said.

Ricciardo will only have a day and a half behind the wheel of his new McLaren before the Bahrain GP, having looked impressive in the first test in Barcelona last month.

"It definitely puts us and Daniel on the back foot as well," Seidl conceded.

"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 he will have starting the race weekend next week, that hopefully it doesn't take that long until it is fully compensated for."

with AAP

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