Daniel Ricciardo will stay on the Formula 1 grid with McLaren.
Amid months of speculation suggesting the respective parties would go their separate ways, the eight-time grand prix winner has confirmed he will see out his contract.
That means Ricciardo will contest the world championship with the Woking-based outfit through to at least the end of 2023.
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The Perth-born pilot took to social media to clear the air.
“There have been a lot of rumours around my future in Formula 1, but I want you to hear it from me,” Ricciardo posted on social media.
“I am committed to McLaren until the end of next year and am not walking away from the sport.
“Appreciate it hasn’t always been easy, but who wants easy!
“I’m working my ass off with the team to make improvements and get the car right and back to the front where it belongs. I still want this more than ever.
“See you in Le Castellet.
“Daniel.”
https://twitter.com/danielricciardo/status/1547159313151655939
It means Ricciardo will partner Lando Norris until at least the end of 2023. Norris is contracted to the team through to 2025.
Ricciardo has endured a tough 2022 to date, scoring just four points-paying finishes this season. His best result remains sixth in his home event, the Australian Grand Prix.
At the season’s halfway mark, Ricciardo sits 12th in the standings with 17 points to his credit. Teammate Norris, meanwhile, sits seventh with 64 points in his bag and a season-best third in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Doubts were cast over Ricciardo’s place in the McLaren team after boss Zak Brown made comments suggesting the Australian hadn’t met expectations and that there were “mechanisms” for Ricciardo to exit his contract.
https://twitter.com/McLarenF1/status/1547162901366054914
Fuelling speculation this week was a test for the youngest IndyCar Series race winner, Colton Herta. Stories have also emerged this week of Oscar Piastri putting himself in the frame for Ricciardo’s seat.
In any case, those McLaren hopefuls will have to wait until the end of 2023 at which point Ricciardo’s contract will be up.
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