McLaren ‘will AXE Daniel Ricciardo and recruit fellow Australian Oscar Piastri’ for the 2023 season

McLaren will reportedly part ways with Daniel Ricciardo next season and replace him with fellow Australian Oscar Piastri.

Ricciardo’s three-year deal with McLaren runs until the end of the 2023 season, but hsi future has been subject of debate for months with the 33-year-old badly struggling for form in his second year with the team.

According to Motorsport.com, McLaren have now decided to move on from the former Red Bull star before his contract expires and replace him with Piastri, who is currently Alpine reserve driver.

McLaren are reportedly set to part ways with Daniel Ricciardo at the end of the season 

On Tuesday, the French team announced the 21-year-old had been promoted to partner Esteban Ocon and replace the Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso from next season.

The Australian, however, swiftly denied any agreement had been reached, leaving Alpine with a seat to fill for 2023 and to pick up the piece of an embarrassing PR own goal.

And it now appears Piastri will replace his compatriot at McLaren from next year.

According to the report, the 21-year-old has already been signed up by McLaren as a reserve driver from 2023, with the team intending to promote him once a deal for Ricciardo’s exit is agreed.

It is understood the team and the eight-time Grand Prix winner will have to ‘agree to a substantial payout’ in order for him to walk away at the end of the current campaign.

To further complicate the situation, Alpine maintain Piastri remains under contract with the team for 2023, despite the fact he distanced himself from being named as Alonso’s replacement. 

Oscar Piastri is Formula One’s next hot property and reportedly close to sign for McLaren