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Daniel Ricciardo to leave McLaren at end of F1 season
Ricciardo joined from Renault on the finish of 2020 however, regardless of successful final yr’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza in a one-two end, he has struggled to match British workforce mate Lando Norris’s efficiency.
Sharing the information along with his 7.3 million followers on Instagram forward of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix which ends the game’s August break, Ricciardo stated the event was “bittersweet.”
“We put in loads of effort on either side however it simply hasn’t labored the best way we wished, so the workforce’s determined to make a change for subsequent yr,” stated the 33-year-old.
“We had loads of discussions however in the long run we mutually agreed it was the fitting factor for each of us.
“I’ll proceed to do the remainder of this yr, completely, and proceed to offer it my all … What lies forward, I am undecided but.”
Ricciardo is anticipated to get replaced by compatriot Oscar Piastri, the 21-year-old reserve driver for Renault-owned Alpine.
Alpine, nonetheless, say Piastri has a contract with them and need the teenager to exchange departing double world champion Fernando Alonso, a proposal the Australian has rejected.
McLaren wouldn’t touch upon Ricciardo’s substitute, an unsurprising stance if Piastri’s case results in the legislation courts, and gave no particulars of the monetary value of terminating the contract.
That might quantity to many tens of millions, relying on Ricciardo’s subsequent transfer.
A number of different groups even have drivers out of contract on the finish of the yr.
“We’re very hopeful that Daniel can be on the grid subsequent yr,” McLaren Racing chief government Zak Brown advised reporters.
Ricciardo, one of many sport’s largest and hottest personalities, stated he would look again with a smile and had realized issues at McLaren that may assist him for the following step in his profession and life generally.
“From a outcomes standpoint, to constantly get the leads to that type that I used to be after, it wasn’t at all times there and made some weekends robust. I felt these completely. However I even have many completely happy recollections of my time on the workforce,” he stated.
This season Ricciardo has scored 19 factors, with a highest place of sixth, in comparison with Norris’ 76 factors from 13 races and a 3rd place at Imola.
Brown stated it had been vital to make the announcement forward of the weekend so the workforce might go racing with out distractions.
“It is a very amicable and pleasant relationship with Daniel,” he stated.
“It is clearly disappointing for it to come back to an however we mirror again on Monza, which is my private most enjoyable second in my time right here at McLaren.”