Both sides stated on Wednesday that Daniel Ricciardo’s heavy time at McLaren will finish after the 2022 Formula One season and the Australian contract will expire a 12 months earlier than it expires. Ricciardo joined Renault on the finish of 2020, however regardless of profitable final 12 months’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza in a one-two, he has struggled to match the efficiency of British teammate Lando Norris.
Sharing the information together with his 7.3 million followers on Instagram forward of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, which ends the game’s August break, Ricciardo stated the event was “bittersweet”. “We put in a lot of effort on both sides but it wasn’t working out the way we wanted, so the team decided to make changes next year,” the 33-year-old stated.
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) 24 August 2022
“We had plenty of discussions however ultimately we mutually agreed that it was the proper factor for each of us.
“I will absolutely continue to do this for the rest of the year, and continue to give it my all … What’s next, I’m not sure yet.”
Ricciardo is anticipated to get replaced by compatriot Oscar Piastri, the 21-year-old reserve driver for the Renault-owned Alpine. However, Alpine says Piastri has a contract with him and desires the teen to exchange the late double world champion Fernando Alonso, a suggestion the Australian has rejected.
McLaren wouldn’t touch upon Ricciardo’s substitute if Piastri’s case leads to the courts of legislation, a shocking stance, and gave no particulars of the monetary prices of terminating the contract. Depending on Ricciardo’s subsequent transfer, this quantity may very well be as much as a number of million.
Several different groups have drivers out of contract on the finish of the 12 months. “We are very hopeful that Daniel will be on the grid next year,” McLaren Racing chief govt Zack Brown informed reporters.
Ricciardo, one of many sport’s greatest and hottest personalities, stated he’ll look again with a smile and have discovered issues at McLaren that can assist him take the following step in his profession and life typically. “From a outcomes standpoint, to get constant leads to the shape I used to be after, it wasn’t at all times and made some weekends laborious. I completely felt them. But I even have many glad recollections of my time within the group. are,” he stated.
Ricciardo has scored solely 19 factors this season, with a highest-place end of sixth, whereas Norris has 76 from 13 races and has completed third in Imola. Brown stated it was vital to make the announcement earlier than the weekend so the group may run with out distractions.
“It’s a very cordial and friendly relationship with Daniel,” he stated. “It’s obviously disappointing for this, but we reflect back at Monza, which is my personal most exciting moment in my time at McLaren.”
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
