Ricciardo’s departure from McLaren may not have been surprising news to end Formula 1’s summer break, but it does mark an important development in the so-called ‘silly season’.
Talks between the Woking outfit and the Australian took place behind the scenes during the holidays to agree the terms of his departure at the end of the season, with one year remaining on his contract.
It is a discreet end to one of the most prominent signings of the Great Circus in recent times, which ends a very difficult stage for Ricciardo at McLaren, who will now seek to change one Australian for another and remove Oscar Piastri from Alpine.
This also leaves Daniel Ricciardo having to weigh his options for the future. He’s a free agent in a driver market that has very few viable, empty seats left for 2023. Yet even after his struggles the past two years, he’s surely still one of the most attractive options for teams in need of a driver. pilot.
So what are Ricciardo’s options to continue on the F1 grid next year 2023?
Will Ricciardo sign for Alpine for F1 2023?
Considering how bad Ricciardo’s departure from Renault at the end of 2020 to join McLaren felt, returning just two years later would have seemed unthinkable.
However, the way the recent saga has played out, in which Alpine could have lost both Oscar Piastri and Fernando Alonso in a matter of weeks, means that a reunion could, in fact, be a marriage of convenience for both parties; an opportunity to prove everyone who turned them down wrong.
It’s important to note that a lot has changed at Enstone since Ricciardo’s last spell, beyond the name of the team and the color of the car. The top management of the team is also different: Cyril Abiteboul, Alain Prost and Marcin Budkowski have left, and the management is now made up of Otmar Szafnauer as team boss and Laurent Rossi as CEO of Alpine.
That would make a potential return of Ricciardo more palatable to those who felt so slighted by his surprising 2020 exit. It would also bring a bit of spark and a star driver to the team’s lineup, something that has been lost with the exit. from Alonso to Aston Martin, and would offer a lot of marketing appeal, something surely of great value as Renault looks to grow its sports car brand.
Alpine would undoubtedly be the most competitive option for Ricciardo in the near future. The team is currently fourth in the constructors’ championship, and has been more consistent than McLaren in recent times. In fact, it could be a step forward for Ricciardo, as well as offering him a return to an official outfit.
But keep in mind that Piastri is still the driver Alpine wants for 2023. Szafnauer has stated that Alpine would be happy to go to court, which shows the great interest of the French to field the reigning Formula 2 champion next year, having invested so much in his development in the lower categories.
It could be a long-winded case, meaning Ricciardo could be left waiting to see how things play out for Piastri should Alpine be his top choice. In any case, the future of the two compatriots seems once again intertwined .
Would Daniel Ricciardo go to Alfa Romeo in F1 2023?
With all the seats of the greats taken, the next best thing for Ricciardo seems to be Alfa Romeo. The team signed a multi-year contract with Valtteri Bottas that began this season, leaving the only vacant place for next year that is currently occupied by Guanyu Zhou.
The Chinese has impressed the entire F1 paddock with his performances in his first season, scoring a point on his debut in Bahrain and frequently finishing near the top 10. Alfa Romeo has an option on his services for next season, and it seems that will keep you.
But when a driver like Ricciardo appears free on the market, it’s hard not to react. Motorsport.com has learned that there is an agreement for Audi’s entry into F1 to take place through Sauber – which manages the Alfa Romeo team – from 2026, which is a big boost for the future of the Swiss .
So could Alfa Romeo be Ricciardo’s best long-term bet? Ricciardo would be 36 years old when Audi arrived on the grid, meaning it would be overkill for him to sign up now waiting for the German manufacturer.
However, even in the short term, Sauber could offer the kind of change Ricciardo needs. We have clearly seen how that move has rejuvenated Bottas, allowing him – in his own words – to enjoy F1 more than ever and feel like he has a greater contribution. It would also be important for Alfa Romeo to form its line-up with two drivers who know what it’s like to win races.
It really depends on how far Ricciardo wants to look, and whether he is willing to accept continuing to fight in the midfield while the foundations are being laid at Hinwil for a more competitive future.
Daniel Ricciardo’s options to go to Haas in F1 2023
Leaving Red Bull for Renault seemed like a step backwards for Ricciardo in 2019, so would he dare to make a similar move and join one of the smaller teams on the grid for next year?
Flashes of pace this season are testament to Haas’ progress under the new regulations, breathing new life into Kevin Magnussen’s career and even drawing some good performances from Mick Schumacher. But the difference between the two has left the German’s future in doubt, especially since Ferrari no longer has anything to say about the team’s second seat.
Haas would not have the financial clout that other teams could offer Ricciardo, but McLaren will pay the driver his remaining contract. That means finances could be less of a deciding factor for Ricciardo, and perhaps encourage him to go with a smaller team like Haas.
There is a concept in the sport known as “pillow contract” or “trampoline”. It’s when athletes sign a one-year deal with a smaller outfit, often on lucrative terms, meaning there’s no long-term commitment on either side. Such a deal for Ricciardo and Haas would offer a chance to test each other out and see how things fit together without any big strings attached for the future. If it works, then great; if not, both parties can look for alternatives by 2024.
Ricciardo is likely yearning for stability considering how turbulent his last few steps have been, but if no better options are available, Haas might not be the worst place to end up.
Can Ricciardo sign for Williams for F1 2023?
It’s a similar principle that would apply to Williams as well. The team has come out of stagnation and become more competitive of late, helped by the financial stability provided by its new owner, Dorilton Capital . However, it is still far from being the great team that it was in the past.
Dorilton wants to build on his image in America, so American Formula 2 driver Logan Sargeant is an obvious choice for next year if he can maintain his recent form. However, Ricciardo is arguably the most marketable driver in America, given his presence on Drive to Survive and his love of Americana. It would be a luxury signing for the new owners, possibly the most important for Williams since he took Felipe Massa for 2014 after his departure from Ferrari (which is saying a lot) and it would serve as a declaration of intent for his future.
Williams would probably be a last resort for Ricciardo, but if the team is willing to shell out the money and promise to build around him for the future, then it could become an option he wants to explore.
