What future does Daniel Ricciardo have in Formula 1?
After Oscar Piastri's signing with McLaren, it is Daniel Ricciardo who is being pushed towards the exit. The Australian driver has not yet found a place in a team and his future in F1 is uncertain.
Daniel Ricciardo still hasn’t found a seat for the 2023 season. While Oscar Piastri will replace him next season, the driver with 226 Grand Prixs under his belt could potentially take a step back in 2023.
One of the solutions for the driver would be to go to Alpine, for whom he has already raced before. But the team seems to only have eyes for the French driver Pierre Gasly, so Daniel Ricciardo would not have a place.
Other teams have vacant seats, such as Haas, which should part ways with Mick Schumacher, or Williams, whose future with Nicholas Latifi seems far from the constructor.
According to Christian Horner, former team principal of Ricciardo during his time at Red Bull between 2014 and 2018, the best option would be for him to return to Alpine. He is therefore urging the team to sign him.
I hope Daniel will be confirmed in Formula 1 next year. His current situation is unfortunate, he is a great driver, and if I were at Alpine, I would probably sign him for 2023.
« It’s someone they already know and during their last season together, they had very good results. I think he is the kind of person who can rebuild after difficult times.
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The McLaren driver is struggling to establish himself at the team. After a fairly good first season in 2021 with an 8th place finish and 115 points collected, the driver is not having a good second season with only 19 points obtained and a 14th place in the standings.
But for Horner, a champion never dies, so it would be possible to see a fit Ricciardo during the 2023 season.
I remember the races he did when he was with us, the overtakes, and some victories. It’s still in him, and I think all he needs is a fresh start. Like in every sport, confidence is crucial and Daniel doesn’t have it at McLaren… Despite being in two cars from different regulations, he remains a very competent driver. I hope he will be on the grid in 2023.
The Australian could very well take a sabbatical year or even become a reserve driver for a team if he does not find a seat for next year.
