Daniel Ricciardo says that he felt sorry for Oscar Piastri amid the contract dispute that unfolded during the 2022 Formula 1 season.
Piastri will race for McLaren next year, replacing Daniel Ricciardo who has departed the team following two underwhelming campaigns.
However, Piastri’s future was only resolved following a hearing from the Contract Recognition Board, as Alpine also claimed that its contract with the Australian was valid for 2023.
Speaking to the In The Fast Lane podcast, Ricciardo says that despite his own personal struggles on the track, he felt for his compatriot.
“I definitely felt for him,” Ricciardo said. “Don’t get me wrong, of course my career was kind of in a way going tits-up, so I was certainly very occupied with myself and trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do.
“But at the same time I was aware of some of the comments and stuff that were going towards him.
“I felt for him I think for a few reasons. One is that it should be the biggest moment of your life, getting into Formula 1.
“It’s a dream come true, and if it can’t really be enjoyed or celebrated, it’s a bit of a shame. And as well it was just kind of how the chips fell.
“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.”
Piastri is managed by fellow Australian Mark Webber, who raced in F1 from 2002 to 2013.
The situation led some to suggest that relationships between those involved would deteriorate as a result – but Ricciardo says that it isn’t the case.
“And of course Mark has a job to do as well, trying to find his driver a seat,” Ricciardo said.
“I get how people were like, ‘Oh, you know, doing that to another Aussie!’, and blah, blah, blah, but I certainly didn’t view it like that or take it as it kind of seemed maybe from the outside.
“We were all just trying to do the best we could. No-one really knows him yet as well as a driver, as a character — as an individual. It’s a little harsh that he’s getting some stick when people are just making their own assumptions.
“So I felt for him. This should be one of the proudest moments of his career, not something that he’s scared to talk about.”
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