Christian Horner revealed he “regrets” not signing Oscar Piastri for Red Bull’s driver growth programme previous to his ascendancy to Formula 1.
The Australian and 2021 Formula 2 champion will race for McLaren in F1 subsequent 12 months after turning down an choice to signal for Alpine – the place he was a take a look at driver.
The saga overshadowed the summer season break and was lastly settled by F1’s Contract Recognition Board in favour of McLaren, who then instantly introduced the 21-year-old as Daniel Ricciardo’s substitute for subsequent 12 months.
Horner, who has led Red Bull since 2005 after they bought Jaguar, described Piastri as a “significant talent” who he regrets not signing for Red Bull’s junior crew, although admitted it was “difficult to judge” the dramatic summer season of occasions surrounding Piastri.
“He drove for the Arden team in Formula 4 and Formula Renault, and was obviously a significant talent,” Horner instructed the Beyond the Grid podcast.
“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 Formula 2.
“Now if he’d have been a driver here, there is no way that he wouldn’t have been under 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.”
Piastri joined Renault’s academy in 2020 earlier than he received his F3 and F2 titles – but opted to look elsewhere for a drive for subsequent 12 months.
Red Bull’s sister crew, AlphaTauri, are available in the market for a substitute for Pierre Gasly subsequent 12 months ought to the Frenchman be a part of Alpine, although AlphaTauri’s pursuit of American Colton Herta appears useless within the water with Nyck de Vries now rising as a contender.
“We’re continuing to invest in youth,” Horner added. “We’ve got some great youngsters in the programme, all the way from karting and stepping into Formula 4 now, upwards.”
Liam Lawson has taken half in a apply session for AlphaTauri on the Belgian Grand Prix however is unlikely to make the step as much as Formula 1 subsequent 12 months.
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk