Formula 1: Ricciardo to leave McLaren

Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren, it’s almost over. The team and the pilot announced this Wednesday their separation at the end of the season. The 33-year-old Australian had been driving for the Woking team since 2021. Before the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, he completed 30 races in orange and blue colors for a victory (his only podium), at Monza in September 2021, the McLaren’s first in F1 since 2012.

8^e of the Drivers’ World Championship last year (105 pts), Ricciardo had a chaotic first part of the 2022 season with only 19 points scored in 8 Grand Prix. He is well ahead of his teammate Lando Norris (76 pts). McLaren wanted to part with the Australian before the end of his contract (end of 2023) to throw his compatriot Oscar Piastri into the deep end.

Great hope of F1, the latter has recently been talked about by refusing to sign for Alpine for the 2023 season. Rumors of Ricciardo’s return to the French team, which he left after just two seasons in 2020, could grow after his departure from McLaren was formalized. The latter would have agreed to pay all or part of the Australian’s last year of contract.

“2022 will be my last season at McLaren. We tried hard on both sides but it didn’t work out the way we wanted it to and the team wanted a change for next year, explained Daniel Ricciardo in a video posted on social networks. We discussed a lot and agreed that it was the best solution for both parties. I will continue to drive until the end of the season. As for the future, I don’t know yet. We’ll see. I learned a lot about myself, it will help me for the rest of my career and my life as a man. I did not have the expected results and we had difficult weekends. But I will also keep good memories with the team, moments of happiness like at Monza. It was awesome and I will never forget it. There are good things to remember. I still love this sport, it doesn’t affect my desire, this fire that I still have in me to drive at this level. Thank you for your support.»