Alpine willing to loan Piastri to McLaren: "Maximum racing opportunities"

Daniel Ricciardo's positive coronation test has made his participation in the Bahrain Grand Prix uncertain. Should McLaren need a replacement, Alpine will allow them to use its reserve driver Oscar Piastri.

McLaren may appeal to Piastri

With this, the team wants to offer the driver every possible opportunity to secure a (temporary) Formula 1 seat. "In the spirit of providing maximum racing opportunities to our young talents, we have agreed that McLaren may call upon Oscar Piastri in the event that one of their drivers is unable to race," reads the Alpine statement.

Whether McLaren will take advantage of the offer remains to be seen. It is expected that Ricciardo will be allowed out of isolation in time, so a replacement will not be necessary. Should that still be the case, the team will probably use its own reserve driver. For example, Nyck de Vries has already been mentioned as a possible replacement.

In the spirit of offering maximum racing opportunities to our stable of young talent, we have agreed that @McLarenF1 may call upon BWT Alpine F1 Team Reserve Driver @OscarPiastri in the event one of their drivers is unable to race. pic.twitter.com/etmryT1UrJ

— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) March 12, 2022