Formula 1: Daniel Ricciardo has insisted that he will not ‘walk away’ from F1 and is committed to McLaren till his contract comes to an end next year. Meanwhile, Ricciardo has had a tough time at McLaren since he joined the team in 2021 from Renault. Follow Formula 1 and French GP LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
After the rumours of getting replaced at McLaren, Ricciardo has hit back at the critics and wants to commit his time at the team till the end of 2023. “There have been a lot of rumors around my future in Formula 1, but I want you to hear it from me,” Ricciardo said.
“I am committed to McLaren until the end of next year and am not walking away from the sport. Appreciate it hasn’t always been easy, but who wants easy. I’m working my ass off with the team to make improvements and get the car right and back to the front where it belongs. I still want this more than ever. See you in Le Castellet,” Ricciardo added.
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) July 13, 2022
The Australian driver has struggled to match the performance of young driver Lando Norris despite the fact that he won the 2021 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Meanwhile, it was a 1-2 finish at Monza for the team and their first race victory since 2012.
Moreover, his problems have prompted speculations about his future and even McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown straightforwardly admitted that the association has not measured up to the assumptions of Ricciardo or the group.
It has not been an easy ride for the Honey Badger as he completed the 2021 season in the eighth spot with 115 points. Lando Norris completed his season two places higher than Ricciardo in sixth place with 160 points.
Meanwhile, Ricciardo has started the 2022 season on a torrid note as after eleven races, he finds himself twelfth overall with just 17 points to his name. His teammate Lando Norris is placed far better overall and is seventh in the drivers’ standings with 64 points.
There are rumours that he can be replaced by the young Australian driver Oscar Piastri. He is managed by former Red Bull driver Mark Webber, who wants the F2 and F3 winner to have a seat in the pinnacle of the sport in the 2023 season.
A long list of drivers are also on McLaren’s list with IndyCar’s Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta. They have even added the reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou to their wish list.
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