What is next for Daniel Ricciardo?

Daniel Ricciardo looks to be out of a seat for 2024 as McLaren look for a way to replace their Australian driver for another Aussie: Oscar Piastri.

Following Fernando Alonso’s shocking move from Alpine to Aston Martin, the driver market has gone haywire as teams look to fill their vacant seats.

At McLaren, Ricciardo and his teammate, Lando Norris, looked to be set in their partnership for one more season. However, it was soon reported by Autosport.com that Ricciardo has ‘officially’ been told McLaren want to free up his seat for, 2021 Formula 2 World Champion, Oscar Piastri.

No one truly wants to lost the biggest smile of the paddock but it seems that a seat is out of reach at McLaren, and potentially F1 as a whole.

So, if the worst comes and the Aussie is out of a seat for the 2023 season, what options will be available for Daniel Ricciardo?

Return to Alpine

It has been reported that Alpine’s team principle, Otmar Szafnauer, has not turned down the possibility for Ricciardo’s return to the French team. However, this option would be available if the mess between themselves and Piastri cannot be sorted.

Ricciardo previously drove for the team, who were formerly known as Renault, during his two-year term at Enstone. As a result he may receive a warm welcome after two, good, seasons with the French manufacturer.

During his tenure at Renault, the Australian driver out performed both of his teammates; Nico Hulkenberg (2019) and Esteban Ocon (2020). In both instances, the #3 driver finished higher in the standings compared to his respective teammate which granted him a move to McLaren, and where he has struggled since.

With results that secured a fifth place finish in the 2020 world drivers standings and a consistant fifth place finish in the constructors, a move to Alpine may be on the cards for Ricciardo.

Ultimately, it would beg the question; would he want to move back?

Possibility: Possible

Hope for another drive

In a hypothetical sense, if Ricciardo was to lose his seat and Alpine figured out a solution while filling their vacant seat, it could spell trouble on the Australian’s F1 career.

After a dismal time at McLaren, when he has been consistently outperformed by his teammate, his market value – and attractiveness – has significantly reduced. The likeliness of a top team giving him a second chance at the top is very unlikely, especially with the younger generation of drivers arriving and showcasing their class.

The only other viable option would be to hope that he gains the attention of those further down the grid, for example: Williams. This would be keep the Honey Badger on the grid, while proving he has still got what it takes to perform at the highest level.

It is worth mentioning the Australian has only finished outside the top 10, of the final WDC standings, three times throughout his entire career; 2011, 2012, 2013. So, by all means, Ricciardo isn’t a poor driver.

Possibility: Unlikely

Use McLaren’s connections

Ultimately, this option would likely signal the end of the Australian’s time in F1. However, it’s a viable option if Ricciardo wants to remain within Motorsport as a whole.

At the moment, the team have a range of different connections within McLaren as they participate in a variety of motorsports around the world, such as; Xtreme E, IndyCar and Formula E (as of 2023).

In the end, this option would come down to the team’s relationship with Ricciardo. It’s easy to presume, through media reports, that the team are seemingly trying to burn down the bridge that connects the Aussie with them.

Ultimately, we will never know (unless its shown in the next season of Drive To Survive) what goes on behind closed doors. If they manage to maintain a healthy relationship, throughout this whole ordeal, they could – possibly – find a seat for Ricciardo in one of their other categories.

As it currently stands, McLaren are currently looking for another driver to complete their Formula E line-up this year: could Ricciardo fill that gap?

Possibility: Somewhat plausible

Enjoy an early retirement

The final option, if the Aussie doesn’t want to fall into a seat which is less competitive, would be an early retirement for the Perth-born driver.

It’s assumed, through various media reports, that McLaren aren’t happy with the Australian’s performance. McLaren Racing’s CEO, Zak Brown, on Sky Sports’ Any Driven Monday, said;

“Short of Monza [Ricciardo’s last win] and a few races, has not met his or our expectations of what we were expecting.”

It is suggested that Ricciardo has a clause, within his contract, which would force McLaren to pay in the region of €20 million, if they opted to show him the door.

This could, potentially open a variety of doors for the Australian such as spending more time with family or funding another career path in motorsport.

Possibility: Unlikely. While retiring with €20 million (approx.) in the bank may sound tantalizing, it’s possible Ricciardo will want to continue on his career in motorsports, regardless of category. 

That’s it for the article: What is next for Daniel Ricciardo? What do you think is next for the Australian driver? Let us know in the comments!

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.