As F1 Career Takes Staggering Hit, Will Daniel Ricciardo Pursue His American Dream Instead?

After weeks of delay following the initial understanding, it’s finally officially confirmed now. Daniel Ricciardo will not be driving for McLaren for the 2023 F1 season. The driver and his fans would feel hard done by McLaren’s decision. However, the reality is that Ricciardo will not drive for the Woking-based team in 2023 as ‘Honey Badger‘ confirmed both parties mutually terminated the deal.

Due to the contract termination a year prior, Daniel Ricciardo is entitled to compensation from McLaren. However, during the negotiations for his compensation and contract termination, McLaren’s boss put an interesting offer on the table.

Under Zak Brown’s leadership, McLaren has expanded its racing activities to IndyCar, Extreme E, and, from 2023, Formula E. Brown provided Daniel Ricciardo an option to explore racing in different scenarios to keep him in the McLaren ‘family’. He offered the Australian driver a switch to McLaren’s IndyCar arm, US’s leading single-seater racing competition.

Brown said, “Yes, we spoke about that.”

“As Andreas [Seidl] said, he’s an exceptional racing driver and any team that he drives for is so privileged to have Daniel drive for them, and we do have a variety of racing activities. But, that being said, he’s very focused on on Formula 1.”

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Brown emphasized the negotiations have been amicable, and there are no hard feelings from either party. However, a change in scenario, maybe for both parties, was necessary because of the poor nature of the results.

Although his stint at McLaren was not a memorable one, there is no doubt about Ricciardo‘s quality. However, the Australian is not solely responsible for the poor stint.

Daniel Ricciardo not to pick up sole blame for the poor stint says Seidl

Andreas Seidl, McLaren’s team principal, agreed Ricciardo’s time with the constructor was poor with a solo victory at Monza. However, the German admitted the team is equally to blame for not getting Daniel Ricciardo up to speed.

He said, “In the end, we have to acknowledge that despite all the commitment and effort, despite both sides putting in so much work, we didn’t manage [it].”

The MCL36 was not the greatest car as well and initially was only the eighth fastest car on the grid.

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Although, as the team tried to improve the car, Ricciardo’s performance remained inconsistent. It just may not have been a good match.

Where do you think Daniel Ricciardo will drive in 2023?