Whatever “bad blood” there was between McLaren F1 rookie Oscar Piastri and the recently ousted Daniel Ricciardo has clearly been set aside to make way for a bromance this past summer break.
A snapshot posted by u/AidenBuckleigh on Reddit’s r/formula1 appears to show the younger Aussie motorsport talent driving the grid veteran through the streets of Melbourne – more specifically on Maroondah Highway near Box Hill – in an unmistakable papaya orange supercar.
“Spot of the year?” u/AidenBuckleigh captioned the now-viral photo.
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“What a scoop. Headline: Daniel Ricciardo teaches Oscar Piastri how to drive a McLaren,” responded u/Firm-Guide-2485, the Reddit thread’s top comment, to which someone else immediately replied, “FIA: Your F1 journalist accreditation has been approved.”
“When you hand over the keys to the company car and the new guy has to drop you home,” joked u/Bunjireddits.
“Danny reached out to Oscar during the whole Piasco anyway, he was never going to hate on a kid from Australia for having the same dream he did because he knows how low the probability of success is,” noted u/NegotiationExternal1.
As we all know, Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo were at the center of a major drive to Survive-worthy saga last year, wherein the former publicly rejected his long-anticipated promotion as a full-time Alpine F1 driver after it was officially announced; instead accepting an offer from McLaren that would leave the latter high and dry.
While playing musical chairs isn’t exactly uncommon in the world of Formula 1, the way in which McLaren CEO Zak Brown approached the rather unceremonious termination of Ricciardo’s active contract, in addition to what many have perceived as an overall lack of support for the Perth native during his brief tenure with the Woking-based team, left a sour taste in the mouths of fans and pundits alike.
“It was just how the chips fell,” Daniel Ricciardo told 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, okay, he’s the guy, and that’s it.”
“I get how people were like: ‘Oh, you know, doing that to another Aussie!’… and blah, blah, blah. But I certainly didn’t see it like that or take it as it seemed from the outside. We were all just trying to do the best we could.”
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(Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“That was a really great thing for Daniel to get in touch with,” said Oscar Piastri.
“I was planning on getting in touch myself, but I think with the timing of things, he was obviously at a race and, quite frankly, I didn’t actually know if he wanted to hear from me. I was trying to think of what to say, but he beat me to it.”
The Formula 2 and Formula 3 champion added: “A true professional, Daniel is. My respect for him was already extremely high and it’s only gotten higher in the way he’s responded. With him getting in touch like that, it was great for me personally. Knowing that there’s no hard feelings, that really helped me quite a lot – it was a nice moment.”
“I think if I can get close to emulating the success he’s had on track, and also the character he is off the track, then I think I’ll be doing a reasonable job.”
Since then, the Honey Badger has managed to land on his feet, returning to Red Bull Racing as a reserve driver for 2023, supporting two-time world champion Max Verstappen, Mexico’s Minister of Defense Sergio Perez, and the outfit as a whole. Bonus: he also got to pocket a phat contract payout from McLaren.
“The smile says it all. I’m truly excited to be coming back home to Oracle Red Bull Racing as their third driver in 2023,” said Daniel Ricciardo.
“I already have so many fond memories of my time here, but the welcome from [Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner], [Red Bull Head of Development Dr Helmut Marko]and the entire team is something I’m sincerely appreciative of.”
“For me personally, the ability to contribute to and be surrounded by the best team in F1 is hugely appealing, whilst also giving me some time to recharge and refocus. I can’t wait to be with the team and support with simulator work, testing sessions and commercial activities. Let’s go!”
Daniel Ricciardo first entered the Red Bull Racing family through its junior squad Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2012. Within the span of two seasons, he’d be promoted to run with the big boys, partnering with the now-retired four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel before Verstappen was introduced to the picture.
Across his seven-year tenure as a Red Bull/Toro Rosso driver, Ricciardo racked up seven race wins, 29 podiums, 986 points, as well as three pole positions. And Horner clearly hasn’t forgotten about the bloke’s piloting capabilities.
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“It is great to bring Daniel back into the Red Bull family. He has enormous talent and such a brilliant character; I know the whole factory is excited to be welcoming him home,” said Christian Horner.
Horner added: “In his role as test and third driver, Daniel will give us the chance to diversify, assisting in the development of the car, aiding the team with his experience and knowledge of what it takes to succeed in F1.”
“We’re very pleased to be working with Daniel again and look forward to everything he will bring to the team in 2023.”
Red Bull Racing recently capped off the 2022 season by claiming both the driver and constructor’s titles.
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