Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer does not rule out a return of Daniel Ricciardo to Enstone should the team not be able to keep Oscar Piastri. It is still hoped that the young Australian will take the place vacated by Fernando Alonso for the coming season.
Because Alpine believes it has a valid contract in that sense. However, Piastri is said to have agreed to move to McLaren. Because originally it looked like Alpine would loan him to Williams for 2023, which is why Piastri looked around for alternatives with manager Mark Webber.
The sudden availability of Alonso’s cockpit has complicated things for all parties and if Piastri does end up going to McLaren – as it stands now – Alpine will have to look for a replacement.
Will Ricciardo return to Renault?
But Szafnauer stresses that after Alonso’s move to Aston Martin was announced on Monday, he “received a bunch of calls from other potential drivers”.
And if Ricciardo is ousted by McLaren to make way for Piastri, as an experienced multiple race winner he is one of the most attractive options on the market, despite his so-so recent form with the Woking team.
The potential problem is Ricciardo’s past with Renault. He was hired big for the 2019/20 seasons to lead the team into the future but decided early on in his second season with the team to leave and join McLaren for 2021.
Szafnauer thinks a comeback is possible
That decision didn’t go over well in the Renault camp and although the team leadership has changed – Cyril Abiteboul is long gone and Szafnauer and Laurent Rossi are now at the helm – it could still be an issue.
Asked about Ricciardo by Motorsport.com, however, Szafnauer compared the situation to Alonso’s ability to return to former teams. Anyway, the priority for Alpine is finding the right riders to help the team in their plan to get back to the top in 100 races.
“If you look at Fernando, for example, he comes and goes – like other drivers,” says Szafnauer. “And I don’t think that’s a problem.”
“I think we need to focus on the plans we have for the next 89-88 races. We need to make sure we complement that plan with the best possible driver and there are a few options for us,” said the team boss . “And we will field the best driver alongside Esteban.”
Back then, no bad blood with Button
Szafnauer also stresses that the team would be good to work with Piastri should he eventually take Alonso’s place – despite the potential damage his apparent intention to join McLaren is doing to the relationship.
The Alpine team boss compares the situation to BAR when he was part of the management team and Jenson Button appeared to be moving to Williams for 2005. Button ended up staying with the Brackley team after a legal battle.
“I’ve been around long enough to actually see how things like this play out,” says Szafnauer. “When Jenson signed with Williams and ended up staying with BAR, that wasn’t a problem. Of course, I know Oscar is different from Jenson.”
“But I’ve seen a rider sign incorrectly with another team and therefore have to ride for the team they originally signed with. And that wasn’t a problem at all. Jenson has done an excellent job at BAR and is never ended up at Williams.”