MCLAREN GETS ACCESS TO PIASTRI AS RESERVE
Reigning Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri will be available to Mclaren as a reserve this year after the team struck an agreement with Alpine.
Piastri will spend this year focusing on his reserve role at Alpine, putting him first in line to step in if either Esteban Ocon or Fernando Alonso are unavailable.
Now the Australian will also be on call for Mclaren if required. The team does not have its own dedicated reserve, instead sharing with Mercedes. Stoffel
Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries are options, with ex-force India driver and Sky Sports F1 pundit Paul di Resta another back-up.
“In the spirit of offering maximum racing opportunities to our stable of young talent, we have agreed that Mclaren may call upon Alpine reserve Oscar Piastri in the event one of their drivers is unable to race,” a statement from Alpine read. “Oscar will remain fully contracted to Alpine, and we will retain first option on his services.”
Mclaren’s Daniel Ricciardo was forced to miss last week’s Bahrain test after a positive COVID-19 test, but the team is confident he will return for the Bahrain GP this weekend. Vandoorne and di Resta are racing at Sebring, while Mercedes has first call on de Vries as a substitute.