Christian Horner regrets not signing Oscar Piastri to Red Bull F1 junior team

Christian Horner has revealed that he decided against signing new McLaren F1 driver Oscar Piastri to Red Bull’s junior team before his F3 title triumph in 2020.
Oscar Piastri (AUS), Alpine F1 Team Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 7, Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Friday.
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Oscar Piastri (AUS), Alpine F1 Team Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 7, Monaco Grand Prix,…

Piastri fills a spot in the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:2023 F1 driver line-up after signing for McLaren alongside 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lando Norris.

The Australian was in the middle of a tug-of-war between Alpine and McLaren 💖with the Woking outfit ultimately coming out on top after a verdict was reached by the contract recognꦗition board.

Piastri has enjoyed an incredible rise🍸 to F1, winning the Formula Renault Eurocup, F3 and F2 title🐻s in consecutive seasons.

Oscar Piastri (AUS) Alpine F1 Team Reserve Driver. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 7, Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo,
Oscar Piastri (AUS) Alpine F1 Team Reserve Driver. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 7, Monaco…

Speaking on F1’s latest episode of the Beyond the Grid podcast, Horner commented on Piastri’s situation and how he had 🌼the opportunity to sign him several years ago.

“He drove♋ for the Arden team in Formula 4 and Formula Renault, and was obviously a significant talent,” Horner said.

“There was an opportunity for Red Bull to look at him at the time, and we didn’t take up that option, which is something that I regret. But what he went on to achieve is phenomenal, in Formula 3 and 𒉰Formula 2.

“Now if he’d have been a driver here, there is no way that he wouldn’t have been u🐷nder lock and key for a period in time. As I say, I wasn’t party, it’s difficult to judge what was promised or reneged on or so on. But certainly, it was unexpected, probably from several areas.”

Red Bull have promoted a wealth of talent to F1 through its sister team AlphaTauri (formerly Toro Rosso) with the likes of 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Sebastian Vettel, 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Daniel Ricciardo coming through the ranks.

The talent seems to have dried up with Red Bull looking potentially elsewhere for the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:2023 F1 season as they look for a replacement for 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Pierre Gasly, who is keen on a move to Alpine.

Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri AT03. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 16, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, Italy, Race Day. -
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri AT03. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 16, Italian Grand Prix,…

Colton Herta was being considered but due🐠 to issues surrounding him getting a sup🐲erlicence, that is unlikely to happen.

Nyck de Vries is a potential option for AlphaTauri, particularly after it was r🐻evealed that the Dutchman met Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko last week.

While a lot of Red Bull’s F2 junior drivers have underwhelmed, Hꦕorner said that he’s been impressed by Japanese driver Ayumu Iwasa in F2 and Isack Hadjar in F3.

“We’re continuing to invest in youth, we’ve got some great youngsters in the programme, all the way from ൩karting and stepping into Formula 4 now, upwards,” Horner added. “I think it’s something Red Bull has done so well, giving these kids a chance, investing in young talent, and giving opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have had.

“Isack Hadjar in Formula 3 this year has had a great debut season. I think [Ayumu] Iwasa in Formula 2 has been a standout driver for me. They’r🍌e just𝐆 two of the guys on the programme.

"Liam Lawson has had a tough yeaꦍr, but he’s again another talent. Dennis Hauger has been a bit underwhelming in Formula 2 after such a dominant year in Formula 3. But agaꦦin, how much of that is him and how much of it is equipment?”

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