McLaren parts ways with Daniel Ricciardo
The Australian will not race with Mclaren Racing in 2023 even though he had one year left on his contract. Oscar Piastri is expected to replace him.
It has not yet been a year since the triumph of Daniel Ricciardo at Monza 2021, followed by Lando Norris- a historic double for McLaren that put an end to a drought of almost a decade.
But in Formula 1 the driver is only as good as his last race, and on Wednesday the Woking firm announced that the 33-year-old Australian will not be n the team once the 2022 season ends.
The two parties have amicably agreed to go their separate ways, with McLaren buying out the last year of Ricciardo’s contract.
McLaren eyes Oscar Piastri
McLaren is understood to have an agreement to sign up reigning Formula 2 campion Oscar Piastri for 2023, but the 21-year-old Australian must first clarify his legal situation with Alpine. McLaren’s other pilot, Lando Norris, has a long-term contract with the team.
The British firm speaks of “mutual agreement” to terminate Ricciardo’s contract, who must now look for a place on the grid next year. His history, and his status as a grand prix winner, inevitably link him to Alpine, formerly Renault.
“After months of negotiations with Andreas [Seidl] and Zak [Brown] we have agreed to end the contract. I will announce my future plans in due course,” says Ricciardo.
McLaren thanks Ricciardo
Both Seidl and Brown have publicly thanked Ricciardo for his efforts. He is currently 12th in the World Cup standings with 19 points to the 76 of his teammate Lando, who is in seventh place.
The differences in their performance, and also in salary, accentuated the drawbacks of having a driver who has been a wanderer since leaving Red Bull in 2018.
At Renault he climbed on the podium, but then left for McLaren after two years with the team, right after the French named him the star of their project.