Daniel Ricciardo to leave McLaren | GRR

Daniel Ricciardo has announced that he will be leaving McLaren at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season.

This confirmation comes after weeks of speculation surrounding the future of Alpine’s hoping-to-be-former driver Oscar Piastri who has been heavily linked with his fellow Australian’s seat.

McLaren is known to have been in talks with Piastri, and his rebuttal of Alpine’s announcement that he would drive for the team next year suggests there is already an agreement in place.

That put Ricciardo’s McLaren future in doubt as the sport entered the summer break, and it looked as though his days in orange were numbered.

Prior to the events of the past month, Ricciardo had been steadfast in his desire to see out his contract at McLaren, due to run until the end of 2023, but an agreement has been reached that will see him leave a year early.

In a statement, Ricciardo said: "It's been a privilege to be a part of the McLaren Racing family for the last two seasons but following several months of discussions with Zak & Andreas we have decided to terminate my contract with the team early and agree to mutually part ways at the end of this season.

"I'll be announcing my own future plans in due course but regardless of what this next chapter brings, I have no regrets and am proud of the effort and work I gave McLaren, especially the win in Monza, last season."

As to where Ricciardo will go next, his most likely option as is a straight swap with Piastri in a move to Alpine. There is also a possibility of seat becoming available at Haas should the American team decide to replace Mick Schumacher, while Alfa Romeo, Alpha Tauri and Williams are all still yet to confirm their driver line ups for 2023.

Ricciardo’s departure brings a tumultuous two-year relationship with McLaren to an end, during which driver nor team were able to get the most out of the partnership.

His time at McLaren peaked with victory at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, and reached a low point earlier this season when Zak Brown hinted that McLaren could terminate his contract early if results didn’t improve.

Speaking ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Brown said: “Daniel has been a great addition to McLaren, and it’s been a pleasure working with him.

It’s no secret that we hoped we could achieve more together but seeing him stand on the top step of the podium as a McLaren driver was a highlight.”

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.