2022 - McLaren Formula 1 Team

[SmallSoldier]

I still do not see how this is ending up. They have the whole US gang, test them in the F1 car and now add another youngster? McLaren collecting drivers like others collect sneakers?

They collected now the best young drivers in Indy car. Ok, maybe by allowing them to get practice in F1, not necessarily a seat. But I still see no reason why Alpine should take Ric if McLaren wants to ditch him for a youngster.

Well, if Scott Mitchell is to be believed, Alpine aren’t exactly in the drivers seat in this one. I also see McLaren taking on the young IndyCar drivers as a help to his pal Andretti. Get them ready for F1, give them seat testing time, while Andretti pushes for his team, then loan them to Andretti IF he’s successful in getting the green light for his team?

If there is so much involved in it, that would be quiet an strategical move by Zak… Who knows, maybe even looking at a potential Andretti entry as a “B-Team” or a similar relationship like Ferrari with Haas in which they sell them some parts?

[the EDGE]

Let’s not forget McLaren also has 2 FE seats to fill next season. I believe these carry more F1 super licence pints than Indycar, so would be logical for American drivers to participate if they have dreams of getting an F1 race seat

[SmallSoldier]

Let’s not forget McLaren also has 2 FE seats to fill next season. I believe these carry more F1 super licence pints than Indycar, so would be logical for American drivers to participate if they have dreams of getting an F1 race seat

Exactly… Out of the 3 Indycar drivers, if I’m not wrong only Palou has enough points for a potential seat at McLaren and they know it.

[JPower]

OK, looks like Piastri is officially announced to Alpine. This season isn't silly enough.

[ScottR267]

[CaribouBread]

OK, looks like Piastri is officially announced to Alpine. This season isn't silly enough.

No quotes from Piastri, no comms from his social media, I think this might be a tug of war situation. Very impressive for a driver who hasn't yet driven a Grand Prix lap

[JPower]

OK, looks like Piastri is officially announced to Alpine. This season isn't silly enough.

No quotes from Piastri, no comms from his social media, I think this might be a tug of war situation. Very impressive for a driver who hasn't yet driven a Grand Prix lap

Ahh...good point. Its still silly!

[Ground Effect]

"After four years as part of the Renault family".... trying to guilt trip the young man?

[mwillems]

So we have a tug of war over drivers in both Indycar and F1. It's getting messy! I wonder how much if this has been invented by the press, time will tell. This headline was always going to get the Mclaren fans whipped back up again, so it is totally ripe for a bit of outrageous clickbait.

[SmallSoldier]

OK, looks like Piastri is officially announced to Alpine. This season isn't silly enough.

Another situation like Alex Palou’s with CGR? Still 2.5 hours for McLaren to do an announcement, lol

[mwillems]

OK, looks like Piastri is officially announced to Alpine. This season isn't silly enough.

Another situation like Alex Palou’s with CGR? Still 2.5 hours for McLaren to do an announcement, lol

Yeah, they've signed Alonso for next year.

[SmallSoldier]

OK, looks like Piastri is officially announced to Alpine. This season isn't silly enough.

Another situation like Alex Palou’s with CGR? Still 2.5 hours for McLaren to do an announcement, lol

Yeah, they've signed Alonso for next year.

Lol… It was just striking that the announcement came while Piastri is probably sleeping, with no quote from him, with Otmar trying to guilt trip him into joining the team… And it’s not that dissimilar to the situation with Alex Palou, where CGR announce him as a driver, only for McLaren to welcome him a few hours later… Not happening, but it would have been funny

Personally, I am not on the Piastri hype train… Yes, he won in F3 (although he didn’t dominate, not a single pole and the championship decided in the last race) and his competition in F2 wasn’t necessarily the strongest line up and he was arguably in the best team… So, not rooting for or against him joining McLaren… Just gaining a few pounds eating pop corn while enjoying the silly season

[mwillems]

Another situation like Alex Palou’s with CGR? Still 2.5 hours for McLaren to do an announcement, lol

Yeah, they've signed Alonso for next year.

Lol… It was just striking that the announcement came while Piastri is probably sleeping, with no quote from him, with Otmar trying to guilt trip him into joining the team… And it’s not that dissimilar to the situation with Alex Palou, where CGR announce him as a driver, only for McLaren to welcome him a few hours later… Not happening, but it would have been funny

Personally, I am not on the Piastri hype train… Yes, he won in F3 (although he didn’t dominate, not a single pole and the championship decided in the last race) and his competition in F2 wasn’t necessarily the strongest line up and he was arguably in the best team… So, not rooting for or against him joining McLaren… Just gaining a few pounds eating pop corn while enjoying the silly season

Oh I agree, it does look like either a power play or supreme confidence in their contractual position, either way Piastri looks like a passenger in this at this point.

My reply was pure silliness as there wasn't enough already!

[mwillems]

Holy moly.

[JPower]

And here I thought summer break was just going to be whining and crying over floor TD's and Ferrari strategy. This is waaaay more exciting.