Daniel Ricciardo says he and Mark Webber have spoken about the manner in which the Oscar Piastri saga has played out in Formula 1. Following two seasons of poor performances with McLaren, it decided to pay up Ricciardo's 2023 contract, opting to sign 2021 F2 champion Piastri, who is managed by nine-time Grand Prix winner Webber. Piastri's deal with McLaren was only announced after the FIA's Contract Recognition Board ruled in McLaren's favour after a dispute with Alpine - the team Piastri is currently signed to. As RacingNews365.com exclusively revealed, multiple failings on Alpine's part led to Webber to look elsewhere for a race drive for his client - with McLaren keen to oblige following Ricciardo's continued failure to match Lando Norris.
Ricciardo speaks to Webber
Ricciardo revealed after 17th place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix that he had spoken with Webber earlier on race day morning to clear the air as there had been no contact between Ricciardo and the Piastri/Webber camps throughout the process. "We hadn't seen each other in person [since the saga started]" Ricciardo explained to media including RacingNews365.com. "I feel he didn't need to, but he felt like he wanted to, in a way, apologise and just try to see how I am doing. "I know how this sport is: it is nothing personal to me - he just wanted to make sure I understood that and make sure I was okay. "He feels really bad in how it has gone down, and how things have been put out there in the media, so it was nice to speak to him."
Ricciardo also speaks with Piastri
Ricciardo also confirmed that he had spoken privately with Piastri - who is set to make his debut in 2023. "I've also spoken to Oscar, and just made sure that there's no bad feelings there. I understand how this works. "He's trying to make it and get into Formula 1 - this moment should be really big for him and I don't want to make it a bad situation for him. "It's nothing personal, so that's all the conversation was. I truly do wish him well, I want him to have a good run in F1. "If there's no communication you never know what someone is feeling or thinking," Ricciardo continued. "He's a lot younger than me, I don't know how he feels, if he is nervous to reach out and see how I am doing. "I wanted to make sure that it was clear that I understand his position - and absolutely no hard feelings. "I think it made him feel better, I think the last thing he wanted was to have some weird tension between a few of the only Australians in the sport. "I am glad we have done it."
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