The end of the Ricciardo soap opera, the continuation of that of Piastri? McLaren, announced on Wednesday that its Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo will leave the British Formula 1 team at the end of the 2022 season, one year from the end of his contract which ran until the end of 2023.
“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 writes in a press release from the team.
Back to Renault/Alpine?
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 33-year-old Australian has failed to shine: after eighth place in the world last year, he is currently 12th in the shadow of his teammate Lando Norris, 7th before the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday. The name of the second McLaren driver for 2023 will be announced “in due course”, McLaren said.
The seat left free by Ricciardo could go to another Australian, 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.