Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren have agreed to part ways at the end of the 2022 Formula One season, paving the way for Oscar Piastri to replace the eight-time champion.
As reported by ESPN at the beginning of the summer breakRicciardo was informed after the Hungarian Grand Prix of his decision to terminate his contract a year before it expires in 2023.
Ricciardo, who won the Italian Grand Prix last year, has struggled on form this season, prompting McLaren CEO Zak Brown and team boss Andreas Seidl to decide to go in a different direction.
“It has been a privilege to be part of the McLaren Racing family for the past two seasons but after several months of discussions with Zak and Andreas we have decided to terminate my contract with the team and agree to a split. hand in hand at the end of this season,” said Ricciardo.
McLaren hopes to replace Ricciardo with reigning Formula 2 champion Piastri, 21.
Piastri is in the midst of a tug-of-war between Alpine and McLaren and his future will be decided by the FIA’s contract recognition panel next week.
At the start of F1’s summer break, Alpine announced that Piastri would replace Aston Martin’s Alonso next year, but Piastri later tweeted that he had no contract with the French team and that he won’t race for them in 2023.
Ricciardo looks set to fill that seat at Alpine (formerly Renault), the team he raced for two seasons before joining McLaren in 2021, next season.
He rejected any suggestions that he would leave F1 at the end of the year.
He added: “I will announce my own future plans in due time but no matter what the next chapter brings, I have no regrets and am proud of the effort and work I have put in. for McLaren, especially the win at Monza last season.
“I’ve never been more motivated to compete and be a part of the sport I love so much and look forward to what happens next.”
McLaren CEO Brown said: “Daniel is a great addition to McLaren, and a pleasure to work with. I would like to thank him for all of his efforts over two seasons. It’s no secret that we hope we can achieve much more together but to see him at the top of the podium as a winner. Being a McLaren driver is a highlight.
“We wish him well for the future and let’s enjoy the rest of the season together.”
The split was confirmed on Wednesday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, the first of nine races Ricciardo will contest for McLaren before departure.
