As most fans believe, Daniel Ricciardo wasn’t treated right by McLaren as he shared an Instagram story stating he would race for the team and see out his contract while the Papaya team had already set a plan in motion to replace the Austrian with another by then. Fast forward to today, he neither has a contract nor a seat for next year.
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The Honey Badger might not drive an F1 car next year. However, Daniel is not giving up just yet.
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After mutually terminating his contract with McLaren, the Aussie driver has been linked with the vacant seats at Haas, Alpine, and Williams. However, the rumor suggesting he’ll take the Mercedes reserve driver role seems the most realistic of all.
As the 8 GP winner assesses his options for the future, the former Red Bull driver has accepted that a reserve driver role has become a pretty “realistic” possibility.
Daniel Ricciardo said, “I love other disciplines of motorsport but I don’t see myself there. I feel as well if I jump into something like that, and then it closes the door on F1. It kind of feels like I’ve checked out, and I haven’t. So I’m solely focused on F1.”
He further added, “My team is talking with, I want to say, pretty much everyone, or they’re having conversations, so we’re just trying to put it all together and figure out what makes the most sense.”
Daniel also explained that he is trying to focus on his goals beyond next year. But since his priority is to stay in F1, the Aussie is still figuring out his options.
Daniel Ricciardo setting a long-term goal in Formula 1
Former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo has set his targets on staying at F1 for a long time. Ricciardo might be without a seat right now, but he is not giving up on racing in F1 just yet. The Australian revealed how he is looking at the future beyond just the next year.
Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 27, 2022 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo before qualifying pool via REUTERS/Geer Vanden Wijngaert
Daniel Ricciardo said, “I’m trying to kind of see beyond next year. For me, of course I want to be racing but I also don’t want to just look at the next 12 months and not look at the next 24.”
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He further added, “Having been through it the last few years, I know there is something that you fight for,”.
With the ever-increasing competition in the sport, it’ll be tough for him to stay on top of his game. However, the Australian can take this much-needed time and find his groove back.
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WATCH THIS STORY: McLaren F1 Boss Uses Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo to Highlight Major Flaws With Red Bull Racing
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Daniel Ricciardo is fighting hard to stay in the sport he loves so dearly. Can Daniel fight his way back to the grid?
