Rumor: Piastri landing F1 race seat with McLaren now unlikely (2nd Update)

Now that Fernando Alonso was announced by Aston Martin to replace the vacated seat of Sebastian Vettel in 2023, Alpine will likely look to elevate their reserve driver Oscar Piastri up to a race seat to replace a departing Alonso for 2023.

With Piastri set to be off the market, this should ease pressure on Daniel Ricciardo, who is simply not performing well at McLaren.

That assumes, Piastri has not already signed a deal to race elsewhere in 2023.

We were the first to break the Piastri to McLaren rumor, and we are hearing more rumblings that will happen because Piastri’s manager Mark Webber is friends with his former Porsche colleague Andreas Seidl, now team principal of McLaren. Seidl it seems is interested in Piastri.

Although there were rumors that Piastri might replace Latifi at Williams, Piastri and Webber view McLaren as a more competitive seat to be in and there have been rumors that Ricciardo’s days at McLaren are numbered.

According to AutoRacing1.com sources, Alpine Reserve driver, and current F2 champion, Oscar Piastri, will not drive for Williams F1 in 2023, replacing ride-buyer Nicholas Latifi,  like everyone is assuming.

According to our sources, in a shocker, Piastri will race with McLaren next season, and if true, replacing underperforming Daniel Ricciardo. We understand there are still a few hurdles to overcome before Piastri is fully signed by McLaren.

Another rumor says Ricciardo could be demoted to IndyCar in 2023, or simply retire.