Oscar Piastri has revealed Daniel Ricciardo contacted him to offer a message of support amid the saga around their respective arrival and exit at McLaren.

The Woking-based team has rather been the centre of attention in recent weeks, though things are starting to die down now we know who exactly is going to be driving for them in 2023.

Indeed, ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix it was revealed that Ricciardo would be leaving the team a year early at the end of this season, with many expecting Piastri to be his successor.

Ricciardo contacts Piastri

Daniel Ricciardo in Spain

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 22: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and McLaren waves to the crowd on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 22, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

That would prove the case, too, with the CRB awarding McLaren victory ahead of Alpine, meaning they could go ahead and announce Oscar for 2023.

It'll be him alongside Lando Norris for next year, then, and Piastri has revealed how his countryman took the time to get in touch and offer him a positive message to try and negate any awkwardness that such a situation might have thrown up between them:

“That was a really great thing, for Daniel to get in touch,” Piastri said to the In the Fast Lane podcast. 

“I was planning on getting in touch myself, but with the timing of things, he was obviously at a race [the Belgian Grand Prix], and quite frankly I didn’t actually know if he wanted to hear from me.

“I was trying to think of what to say, but he beat me to it. A true professional, Daniel is. My respect for him was already extremely high, and it’s only gotten higher in the way he’s responded.”

Oscar Piastri's F1 chance

Oscar Piastri in Spain

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 19: Oscar Piastri of Australia, Alpine F1 Reserve Driver walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 19, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Piastri is highly rated and has been for a long time, with him winning Formula 2 in 2021 and showing exactly what he can do behind the wheel.

This is obviously a big step up for him for next year as he takes on the challenge of trying to beat Lando Norris at McLaren but he will have the belief he can do it.

Fair play to Daniel Ricciardo, too, for reaching out to his compatriot.

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