Günther Steiner warns McLaren about the risks associated with young drivers

Lando Norris will be supported by a new teammate in 2023. Oscar Piastri will take Daniel Ricciardo’s place at McLaren. The young Australian driver has climbed the ranks of the junior formulas at an impressive speed and was crowned the Formula 2 champion in his first season in 2022.

Everything remains to be done.

The arrival of a talented young driver in a team is often euphoric and expectations are high. However, Günther Steiner wants to remind us that McLaren’s new recruit has not yet raced against the other drivers on the grid during a race weekend. McLaren needs to remain realistic for the Australian driver’s first few races, as we don’t know what will happen, according to the Haas team director.

McLaren calls on Piastri for 2023. Everyone considers the Australian as a fantastic talent, but honestly, at McLaren, we don’t even know if everything will go as we hope.

The young drivers always represent a certain risk.

However, Günther Steiner does not directly refer to Mick Schumacher when he mentions the risks associated with the arrival of a young driver. After two seasons with the American team and a bitter end, he does not regret the collaboration with the German driver.

He insists on emphasizing that young drivers can be excellent drivers capable of becoming great champions, but only time will tell.

“We now know that Formula 2 drivers George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Lando Norris are all excellent drivers. But you can’t know that in advance,” says Günther Steiner.