Daniel Ricciardo dumped by McLaren but will see out the rest of the season

An emotional Daniel Ricciardo has expanded on his “bittersweet” axing from McLaren and his determination to continue his Formula One career. But how much did it cost to axe him?

After weeks of speculation the axe has finally fallen on Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren with the Australian driver’s contract terminated 12 months early.

Consistently outperformed by his younger teammate Lando Norris during his near two-year tenure, Ricciardo’s future in the sport now hangs in the balance.

Days out from the resumption of the season at the Belgium Grand Prix, the worst kept secret in motorsport was confirmed with Ricciardo and McLaren “mutually parting ways” with the separation costing the team $14.5 million - almost half what was expected.

“It’s been a privilege to be a part of the McLaren Racing family for the last two seasons but following several months of discussions with Zak and Andreas we have decided to terminate my contract with the team early and agree to mutually part ways at the end of this season,” Ricciardo said in a statement released by McLaren.

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

McLaren's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo

“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.

“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.

“I’ve never been more motivated to compete and be a part of a sport that I love so much and look forward to what comes next.”

Ricciardo will see out the remainder of the 2022 season with McLaren.

An emotional Ricciardo later took to social media to expand on the news.

“Hey everyone, wanted to share some news. It’s not great,” Ricciardo said on Instagram.

“Bittersweet for sure but I think it’s best you hear it from me. 2022 will be my last year with McLaren.

“Obviously we put in a lot of effort on both sides but it just hasn’t worked the way we wanted so the team has decided to make a change for next year.

“We had a lot of discussions but in the end we mutually agreed it was the right thing for both of us.

Daniel Ricciardo has opened up on his exit from McLaren. Picture: Getty Images

“I will continue to do the rest of this year, absolutely. And I’ll continue to give it my all.

“For the future, what lies ahead, (I’m) not sure yet. But we’ll see.

“I look back on this time with McLaren with a smile. I learnt a lot about myself, things that will help me for the next step in my career but in life in general.

“From a results point of view, sure, to consistently get the results and that form I was after … it wasn’t always there. And that made some weekends tough. I felt those, absolutely.

“But I also have many happy memories of my time at the team. I think about Monza. I think about standing on the top step. I think about bringing the team their first win since 2012. That sort of stuff was awesome.

“The sport – I still love it. This hasn’t affected any of that. I still have that fire in me, that belief in my belly that I can do this at the highest level. All that stuff is still there … this isn’t it for me.”

Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 12, 2021. Picture: Getty Images

Despite speculation that Australian rookie Oscar Piastri would replace Ricciardo, McLaren said that they would confirm their 2023 line-up “in due course”.

Mutual or not, having his contract terminated is a brutal blow to Ricciardo and totally contradicts the assurances he was given by McLaren boss Zak Brown just weeks ago when he said he and the team were “totally committed” to unlocking the Australian’s potential.

Brown’s support appeared genuine and was a welcome relief after he publicly shamed Ricciardo in May by telling the world’s media he had “not met expectations” and that the team had “mechanisms” in his contract that could terminate it early.

What a ride @danielricciardo. From that moment in Monza, to the laughs we've had out of the car, it's been a joy working with you these last two years. Whatever’s next I wish you all the best, let's have a mega next few months pic.twitter.com/V0F5oQylpb

— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) August 24, 2022

It remains to be seen if Ricciardo will be offered a payout by McLaren.

McLaren would not confirm if they had paid out Ricciardo’s $20 million contract, nor when it had been decided to terminate the deal, but it is understood that he will receive $10 million to leave the team early.

Thanking Ricciardo for his contributions, Brown said: “Daniel has been a great addition to McLaren, and it’s been a pleasure working with him.

“I’d like to thank him for all of his efforts. It’s no secret that we hoped we could achieve more together.”

If Ricciardo was given his full entitlements by McLaren, he could yet drive next season but would need to repay the team a portion of his payout depending on the value of his next deal.

There will no doubt be a number of teams chasing his signature in light of his premature release but his future in the sport will come down to his own ego and whether he is willing to work with a team further back on the grid.

Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull have all confirmed their line-ups for 2023 and beyond so if Ricciardo opts to remain in the sport his options - while limited - include Alpine, Williams and Haas.

Daniel Ricciardo did not enjoy much success with McLaren

Guenther Steiner, Haas team principal, is rumoured to have made contact with the Australian while many believe he could be named in a straight switch between Alpine and McLaren.

Williams would be another option with Nicholas Latifi likely on his way out.

McLaren’s delay in confirming who will partner Norris is perhaps indicative that the legal stoush between Piastri, Alpine and McLaren is yet to be rectified by the FIA Contract Recognition Board (CRB) for resolution.

I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.

— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) August 2, 2022

In July, Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer was blindsided by Fernando Alonso’s defection to Aston Martin, a move which prompted the team to immediately name Piastri as Esteban Ocon’s teammate for 2023.

The announcement however was met by a brutal public rejection by the Australian rookie who tweeted: “I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year.

“This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.”

The social media declaration sparked a legal battle between all parties with reports former F1 driver Mark Webber, who is now Piastri’s manager, had orchestrated negotiations with McLaren.

Ricciardo has eight F1 wins to his name in 223 starts, has secured 32 podiums and three pole positions in a career spanning 12 seasons. He is currently 12th in the driver championship with just 19 points – 57 behind Norris.

Originally published as Daniel Ricciardo dumped by McLaren but will see out the rest of the season