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Zak Brown: hiring rookie Piastri a 'calculated risk'

Zak Brown: hiring rookie Piastri a 'calculated risk'

27-11-2022 19:12 Last update: 28-11-2022 00:13
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GPblog.com

At the Abu Dhabi tests last week, 21-year-old Oscar Piastri made his debut at McLaren. The Australian drove more than 100 laps, despite a minor problem with his power unit. McLaren team boss and CEO Zak Brown admitted that replacing compatriot and eight-time race winner Daniel Ricciardo with a rookie was a "calculated risk"

"We're quite optimistic. So we’re going to just be head down and give him all the support that we think he needs. We wouldn’t have made the decision we did if we didn’t have a high degree of confidence he’s going to be successful," Brown said in an interview with Speedcafe.com

Brown also comments on the controversy between Piastri and his former team boss Otmar Szafnauer at Alpine. Piastri's character was questioned by Szafnauer after the Australian decided to sign with McLaren. Alpine felt embarrassed by their (now former) junior driver. 

McLaren vindicated by CRB

Szafnauer, following the meeting at the Contract Recognition Board (CRB), questioned Piastri's loyalty and integrity, implying that Piastri had done something wrong. Brown is not worried that Piastri's reputation has been damaged by the incident, saying that the young driver's personality will soon start to show. "The truth is starting to come out in that sense," says the American.

"Much like Lando. We didn’t create Lando, Lando created himself as he settled into the sport. Let’s just [let] Oscar be Oscar and let his results, who he is, speak for itself in time."