The McLaren driver is replaced by Piastri for 2023, after the youngster was seized by the Woking-based team from Alpine.
Piastri’s signing came before McLaren agreed to a contract termination with Ricciardo, meaning he would not see the third and final year of his original contract.
The Piastri case went all the way to the F1 Contract Recognition Board and, amid the intensity of the complicated situation, Ricciardo revealed last month that there had been no contact with the youngster or his Webber manager.
But with things settled over the Dutch GP weekend and Webber on the pitch as part of his commitment to UK broadcaster Channel 4, there was an opportunity at Zandvoort for him and Ricciardo to discuss.
It happened on Sunday, before the Dutch GP, and Ricciardo explained that Webber “felt bad” about the consequences of Piastri’s move as he stressed there was nothing personal about it. that had happened.
“We obviously hadn’t seen each other in person. [since it all started]“, explained Ricciardo.
“I think he didn’t need to, but he felt like he wanted to, in a way, apologize and try to see how I’m doing.
“Obviously, I know what this sport is: it’s nothing personal to me. And he wanted to make sure that I knew it and understood it. And just to make sure I felt good.
“He feels really bad, obviously, [in] how it happened and obviously how things were broadcast in the media. So yeah, it was obviously nice talking to him.
Oscar Piastri, reserve driver, Alpine F1 Team
Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
As well as having a conversation with Webber about it, Ricciardo also says he spoke privately to Piastri to also make sure his replacement knows there are no lingering tensions.
“I also spoke to Oscar, to be honest, and just made sure there were no bad feelings there. I understand how it works.
“He is trying to succeed: he is trying to get into Formula 1. And this moment should also be very important for him. I don’t want to make this a bad situation for him.
“That’s it: it’s nothing personal. So that was all the conversation was about. And I sincerely wish him good luck. I want him to have a good run in Formula 1.
“So it’s just the circumstances and that’s how it is. But I still love Mark very much and respect him.
Ricciardo explained that he considered it important that he got in touch with Piastri, because there was a risk that the youngster felt that there could be some angst between them if he did not explain his true feelings.
“If there’s no communication, you never know what someone is feeling or thinking,” he added. “Obviously he’s a lot younger than me. I don’t know how he feels: if he’s nervous to reach out and see how I’m doing.
“Also, I wanted to make sure it was clear that I understood his position. And absolutely no hard feelings.
“So that was good. I think it made him feel better. And yeah, I think the last thing he wanted was to have some weird tension between some of the only Australians in the sport. So I’m glad we did that.
