Daniel Ricciardo is “on pole” to replace Fernando Alonso and return to Alpine in 2023, according to AutoHebdo.
On Monday, Formula 1 woke up to the surprising news that the double world champion had signed at Aston Martin on a multi-year deal, taking the seat of the retiring Sebastian Vettel.
In response, Alpine, who was caught off guard by the announcement, praised Alonso and said they would reveal Esteban Ocon’s new teammate for next season “in due course”.
Inevitably, it is assumed that Oscar Piastri, current F2 champion and Alpine junior, will be the man to take over from the Spaniard.
But AutoHebdo is reporting Ricciardo, who raced with the team formerly known as Renault in 2019 and 2020, could be the first choice.
According to the French publication, a pre-contract between Piastri and Alpine for next year expired at the end of July, freeing the Australian to officially talk with other teams for 2023.
Previously, the 21-year-old was linked to Williams replacing Nicholas Latifi, but as questions arose about Ricciardo’s future at McLaren, Oscar’s manager Mark Webber is understood to have been pushing to get his driver into the Honey Badger’s seat.
And now that Alonso has freed up a place at Alpine, that could pave the way for Daniel to re-join with Piastri completing a move to the Woking-based outfit for 2023.
However, in recent weeks, the eight-time Grand Prix winner has been insistent he is staying put at McLaren for the final year of his contract.
And that tone continued last weekend in Hungary when asked about any interest in joining Aston Martin.
“Obviously it’s nothing against them but, as I said last week, my future is clear and it’s here,” he told Sky Sports’ David Croft last Thursday.
Could a return to his former team be more appealing to Ricciardo? An interesting summer break awaits!