Daniel Ricciardo could have faced the possibility of returning to Alpine in 2023, after Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer confirmed discussions took place between the team and the Australian. The team was left scrambling for their second driver after initially confirming Oscar Piastri when Fernando Alonso announced his departure midway through the season, but the Australian subsequently denied the move on social media. Alpine were later at the centre of a contract dispute with Piastri and McLaren over his services for 2023, with former F2 champion eventually going on to race alongside Lando Norris after the Contract Recognition Board ruled in…