Daniel Ricciardo will leave McLaren at the end of the 2022 season after agreeing a deal to terminate his contract early.
The Australian had a year left on his contract but, after two years of struggling with the car and being outperformed by team-mate Lando Norris, his final race for the team will be at this year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In a video posted on social media, the 2021 Italian Grand Prix winner said that the team had “decided to make a change for next year.”
However, he then went on to say that the decision was taken mutually between himself, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and team principal Andreas Seidl. It follows much speculation which began in May when Mark Hughes wrote that Ricciardo’s place on the grid was at risk.
“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,” he said in a McLaren statement.
“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.”
The news comes just over a month after Ricciardo said that he was “committed to McLaren until the end of next year… working my ass off with the team to make improvements”.
But his 57-point gap to Norris in the championship, who has 76pts to Ricciardo’s 19, as well as his consistently slower qualifying and race pace has brought an early end to the deal.
“Daniel has been a great addition to McLaren, and it’s been a pleasure working with him,” said Brown. “I’d like to thank him for all of his efforts over the last two seasons both trackside and back at base.
“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.”
Ricciardo vs Norris at McLaren
|
2021 |
2022 |
Ricciardo’s gap to Norris after 13 races |
58pts |
57pts |
Ricciardo’s gap to Norris at the end of the season |
45pts |
n/a |
McLaren said that it plans to announce Ricciardo’s replacement in “due course” and is understood to favour reigning Formula 2 champion and Alpine reserve Oscar Piastri, if a contract dispute with Alpine can be resolved.
If so, Ricciardo could find himself with an option to travel in the opposite direction and partner Esteban Ocon next year.
He hinted that he was planning to stay in F1, adding: “I’ve enjoyed working with everyone at McLaren and will be giving my all on and off track as we enjoy the remainder of the season together.