Daniel Ricciardo will depart McLaren on the finish of the 2022 season after agreeing a deal to terminate his contract early.
The Australian had a yr left on his contract however, after two years of combating the automobile and being outperformed by team-mate Lando Norris, his last race for the workforce will likely be at this yr’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In a video posted on social media, the 2021 Italian Grand Prix winner mentioned that the workforce had “determined to make a change for subsequent yr.”
Nonetheless, he then went on to say that the choice was taken mutually between himself, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and workforce principal Andreas Seidl. It follows a lot hypothesis which started in Could when Mark Hughes wrote that Ricciardo’s place on the grid was in danger.
“Following a number of months of discussions with Zak & Andreas we have now determined to terminate my contract with the workforce early and conform to mutually half methods on the finish of this season,” he mentioned in a McLaren assertion.
“I’ll be saying my very own future plans sooner or later however no matter what this subsequent chapter brings, I’ve no regrets and am pleased with the hassle and work I gave McLaren, particularly the win in Monza, final season.”
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) August 24, 2022
The information comes simply over a month after Ricciardo mentioned that he was “dedicated to McLaren till the tip of subsequent yr… working my ass off with the workforce to make enhancements”.
However his 57-point hole to Norris within the championship, who has 76pts to Ricciardo’s 19, in addition to his persistently slower qualifying and race tempo has introduced an early finish to the deal.
“Daniel has been an ideal addition to McLaren, and it’s been a pleasure working with him,” mentioned Brown. “I’d wish to thank him for all of his efforts over the past two seasons each trackside and again at base.
“It’s no secret that we hoped we may obtain extra collectively however seeing him stand on the highest step of the rostrum as a McLaren driver was a spotlight.”
Ricciardo vs Norris at McLaren
2021 | 2022 | |
Ricciardo’s hole to Norris after 13 races | 58pts | 57pts |
Ricciardo’s hole to Norris on the finish of the season | 45pts | n/a |
McLaren mentioned that it plans to announce Ricciardo’s substitute in “due course” and is known to favour reigning Components 2 champion and Alpine reserve Oscar Piastri, if a contract dispute with Alpine could be resolved.
If that’s the case, Ricciardo may discover himself with an choice to journey in the wrong way and companion Esteban Ocon subsequent yr.
He hinted that he was planning to remain in F1, including: “I’ve loved working with everybody at McLaren and will likely be giving my all on and off monitor as we benefit from the the rest of the season collectively.