McLaren boss claims Ricciardo could’ve driven for two F1 teams in 2023
This Morning: Alison Hammond in hysterics at Daniel Ricciardo VT
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McLaren boss Zak Brown believes outgoing driver Daniel Ricciardo could have landed a seat with Haas or Williams for the 2023 F1 season. Ricciardo, 33 continues to assess his future after he agreed with McLaren to end his contract at the end of the current campaign, a year before it was due to expire.
The Australian joined McLaren in 2021 but has struggled over the course of this season, with his best performance a fifth–place finish in Singapore earlier this month. Teammate Lando Norris has outperformed Ricciardo and will team up Oscar Piastri for the 2023 campaign.
Ricciardo is not expected to be involved in F1 next time around but Brown, who is a close friend of the driver, believes he could have secured a seat before now. He told RacingNews365.com: “I think everyone is bummed he won’t be on the grid because he is great for the sport.
“He could have probably driven for Haas or Williams. I am speculating that he doesn’t want to drive for a team that is ninth or 10th in the Championship, which I understand, given his pedigree. But hopefully he will come back in 2024.”
Haas are yet to decide on Mick Schumacher’s future, with the German out of contract at the end of the 2022 season. There is also uncertainty on who will drive alongside Alexander Albon with Williams, as Logan Sargeant emerges as a candidate.
McLaren boss Brown meanwhile has admitted he had to take a step back from his close friendship with Ricciardo and make a decision that is best for the future of the team. He said: “I don’t think either of us got the results that we’d hoped and we felt we’d given it sufficient time on both sides.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, it wasn’t an overnight decision, it was something that we spoke with him about for many months. He’s been awesome. From day one to today, the way he’s conducted himself; the maturity that he’s shown in our conversations; the way he’s handled the media and the team relationship.”
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Brown also admitted Ricciardo had spoken with replacement, 21-year-old Piastri, and hailed his conduct as the 2022 season draws to its conclusion.
The McLaren boss added: “I will cheer for him in the last four races as much as much as ever, because we need him and Lando to deliver in the close fight for fourth [in Constructors’ Championship].
“You’ve just got to recognise that it wasn’t working and he respected our desire to make a change. It’s great he spoke with with Oscar and I think he’s very mature, understands the situation, and handled it really well.”
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