McLaren banking on Hayden to fulfill missing link

Daniel Ricciardo has been replaced by Oscar Piastri from 2023.

McLaren will be counting on a returning talent in Formula One, Jack Hayden, after he was announced as a reserve driver for the 2023 season. The 21-year-old rejoins the team after a two-year stint with Red Bull, while fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo will leave the team at the end of the current campaign.

Piastri, who is the reigning Formula 2 champion, will take over Ricciardo's seat alongside Lando Norris. The 21-year-old Australian is highly rated and widely expected to be a future star in the sport.

Piastri is considered one of the most promising young drivers in the world.

Hayden, meanwhile, will provide support to Piastri and Norris and will be on standby to race if either driver is unable to compete. The British driver has previous experience in Formula One, having made three starts for McLaren in 2022.

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl said he was "delighted" to welcome Hayden back to the team. "Jack is a very talented young driver who has already shown what he can do in Formula One," Seidl said. "We believe he has the potential to be a future star in the sport, and we are looking forward to working with him again."

Hayden said he was "excited" to be rejoining McLaren. "I have great memories of my time with the team, and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their goals in the future," Hayden said.