Piastri joins pool of McLaren F1 reserves for 2022 season

McLaren has shared reserves with Mercedes since the start of the 2021 season instead of having its own dedicated driver in the role, making Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries their primary two options if required. Ex-Force India driver and Sky F1 pundit Paul di Resta has also been a further back-up if required.

But Alpine has announced that Piastri has now also joined the pool of drivers available to McLaren if required.

"In the spirit of offering maximum racing opportunities to our stable of young talent, we have agreed that McLaren may call upon BWT Alpine F1 Team reserve driver Oscar Piastri in the event one of their drivers is unable to race," a statement from Alpine reads.

"Oscar will remain fully contracted to Alpine, and we will retain first option on his services."

The news comes after McLaren revealed on Friday that Daniel Ricciardo had tested positive for COVID-19, ruling him out of the pre-season test running at the Sakhir track.

Ricciardo is now isolating, but said that he was feeling better and would "just focus on next weekend" when the F1 season gets underway, while McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl expressed his confidence that Ricciardo would be able to return and race in Bahrain.

The team has also made clear the deal with Piastri is not related to Ricciardo’s situation.

Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, is interviewed

Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

"I'm confident he will be fit again next weekend," Seidl said.

"He is feeling better already. But as we know, it simply takes a few days until you are fully back in good shape.

"Obviously in terms of reserve drivers, it is similar to previous years. We have an agreement with Mercedes to share reserve drivers. We have also Paul di Resta, similar to last