Ricciardo feels for Piastri
DANIEL Ricciardo harbours no ill feelings towards Oscar Piastri or his manager Mark Webber, calling criticism of the McLaren driver “harsh” after losing his Formula One seat to the young Aussie.
As he opened up on his decision to take on the third- driver role at his former team Red Bull for 2023, Ricciardo said he felt for Piastri for “getting some stick” after he landed the eight-time race winner’s seat at McLaren.
Ricciardo, 33, said it was a “shame” the proud moment in Piastri’s fledgling F1 career had been spoiled.
Piastri, 21, made his debut for McLaren at the team’s post-season test in Abu Dhabi last week, with many Formula 1 fans still lamenting Ricciardo’s exit.
But Ricciardo said Piastri had not created the situation and he did not feel like he had been undermined.
“It was just how the chips fell,” Ricciardo said on the “In the Fast Lane” podcast.
“He was in the situation, but it’s not like he created the situation.
“It was just a product of all these things happening and then, OK, he’s the guy, and that’s it. Of course Mark has a job to do as well, trying to find his driver a seat.
“I get how people were like, ‘Oh, you know, doing that to another Aussie!’, and blah, blah, blah, but I certainly didn’t view it like that or take it as it kind of seemed from the outside. We were all just trying to do the best we could.”
Ricciardo said he felt for the F1 rookie over the response his signing received.
“I definitely felt for him. And look, don’t get me wrong, of course my career was kind of in a way going tits up, so I was certainly very occupied on myself and trying to figure out what I was going to do, but at the same time I was aware of some of the comments and stuff that were going towards him,” Ricciardo said.
“I felt for him because for a few reasons, it should be the biggest moment of your life getting into Formula One. It’s a dream come true. If it really can’t be enjoyed or celebrated, it’s a bit of a shame.
“No one really knows him yet as a driver … as an individual. It’s a little harsh that he is getting some stick when people are making their own assumptions. So yeah, I felt for him.”
It was confirmed last week Ricciardo would return to the team where he made his name. He described it as a “warm and cosy” feeling to be back at the team he left in 2018.
Ricciardo said he planned to attend between six to eight F1 races next year and would also help the team with simulator work and marketing.