Former F1 driver Mark Webber, who manages the career of Oscar Piastri, has shed light on his protégé’s initial reluctance to replace Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren.
Despite the enticing prospect of securing a coveted Formula 1 seat, Piastri harbored a sense of apprehension, concerned about leaving his fellow Aussie without a ride for the 2023 season.
Ricciardo's tumultuous tenure at McLaren, marked by a significant performance gap between himself and teammate Lando Norris, ultimately led to his departure from the team at the end of 2022.
McLaren seized the opportunity presented by Alpine's hesitation in securing a place for Piastri on the Formula 1 grid, swiftly signing the Australian driver before negotiating Ricciardo's premature exit.
Webber believes that Ricciardo's struggles throughout his McLaren stint were undeniable, making his replacement inevitable.
While Piastri's defection may have initially felt like a betrayal to Ricciardo, Webber asserts that the team's decision was based on performance rather than personal relationships.
“It’s clear that Daniel had two very tough seasons as a McLaren driver,” Webber told GP Racing Magazine.
“If Oscar hadn’t replaced him this year, another driver would have done it.
“He said at the time that he was taking the seat from another Australian and there aren’t many of us who have raced in Formula 1.
“But what can you say, it was McLaren’s decision and in the end, it’s clear that it was the right one.”
The situation highlighted the cutthroat nature of Formula 1, where performance reigns supreme and personal considerations often take a backseat.
Piastri's meteoric rise through the junior ranks and McLaren's desire to secure a promising young talent proved too strong to resist, even if it meant leaving Ricciardo without a seat on the grid.
But Webber admits that before Alpine lost Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin, Piastri’s options for securing a race seat for 2023 were very limited.
“People thought we had a lot of options for 2023, but really, we didn’t,” added the Webber nine-time Grand Prix winner.
“At McLaren they were fantastic and above all, very clear from the start, which was something Oscar loved.
“It was clear to him that someone wanted him to drive for them and it was an easy decision for us.”
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