Daniel Ricciardo demands mammoth payout to be replaced at McLaren by Oscar Piastri – reports

McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo is reportedly demanding a huge payout if he terminates his contract early and allows fellow Australian Oscar Piastri to drive for the team in 2023.

The 33-year-old is demanding $21m in compensation if he ends his contract with the England team, which expires at the end of 2023, Speedcafe reports.

It is understood that unless the driver breaches the terms, Ricciardo is the only party who can break the contract.

The Speedcafe story also states that McLaren will receive a payout refund to Ricciardo based on his salary at another F1 team – if he secures a seat in 2023.

Reports have been circulating in recent weeks that Ricciardo is set to be replaced at McLaren by compatriot prodigy Piastri.

Ricciardo shared McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl’s decision after the Hungarian Grand Prix auto sport, ESPN and racer all the publishing news of the Aussie Switch.

It’s understood McLaren want to ensure the 33-year-old joins another F1 team before announcing the recruitment of next year’s Piastri, who recently denied driving for Alpine in 2023.

MORE: Who is Oscar Piastr? The Australian motorsport star on the edge of an F1 seat

The F1 driver carousel is in full swing as Alpine first announced Piastri would be on their team next year to replace Fernando Alonso who joined Aston Martin following the retirement of Sebastian Vettel.

However, Piastri later dismissed Alpine’s announcement on Twitter: “I understand that without my consent, Alpine F1 issued a press release late this afternoon that I will be racing for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be racing for Alpine next year.”

Ricciardo is believed to be a leading contender for the vacant Alpine seat, which he drove for in 2019-20 when they were still known as Renault.

What is Oscar Piastri’s current role at Alpine?

Oscar Piastri is Alpine’s Formula 1 reserve driver for the 2022 season.

If necessary, he will fill in for one of the team’s full-time drivers – Fernando Alonso or Esteban Ocon – if they are unable to drive on a particular weekend.

He also travels with the team to every Grand Prix where he attends driver briefings and is often active in the team garage.

Piastri has yet to get in and race this year but could race in a practice session during the upcoming triple header.

Alpine sporting director Alan Permane said the young Australian is likely to return after the mid-season summer break.

“It’s not a big problem to find a weekend; there are many,” Permane said, as quoted by Fox sports.

“I think we will see Oscar in our car for the first time in either Spa or Monza.”