The adventure only lasted two years. McLaren has decided to prematurely terminate the contract of its Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo, who is not up to the expectations of the British team. If it is officially a separation by mutual agreement, it is the stable of Woking which is at the origin of this decision. The latter warned Ricciardo, 33, under contract until the end of 2023, that she was no longer counting on him next season.
“McLaren Racing and Daniel Ricciardo can confirm that Daniel’s contract for 2023 has been terminated early, with both parties agreeing that he will leave the team at the end of the 2022 season.” -he said in a press release from the team.
Arrived at the beginning of 2021 at McLaren, Ricciardo never managed to impose himself there. Apart from his victory at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, at Monza, the Australian has failed to shine. After an 8th place in the world last year, he is currently in 12th place, in the shadow of his teammate Lando Norris, 7th before the Belgian Grand Prix this Sunday.
If Norris, a 22-year-old Briton, has his future assured in the firm of Woking (England), the name of the second McLaren driver for 2023 will be announced “in due course”, said McLaren. The seat left free by Ricciardo could go to Oscar Piastri, at the heart of the summer soap opera in F1.
In early August, the Franco-British Alpine team announced that Piastri, a promising 21-year-old driver and currently its reserve driver, would start next year, replacing veteran Fernando Alonso leaving for Aston Martin.
But Piastri hastened to deny it, claiming not to have signed with Alpine for 2023. According to the specialized press, Piastri, on the other hand, would have signed with … McLaren.
If this is confirmed, Ricciardo could have the opportunity to stay in Formula 1 at Alpine. Author of seven victories with Red Bull, the Australian has already driven for the French camp, with Renault in 2019 and 2020. His name has also cited on the side of Haas in the event of Mick Schumacher’s departure for Alpine.