F1 News: Daniel Ricciardo Reveals Surprising Team Talks After McLaren Departure

"Craving a bit of distance"

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo has revealed which teams he was in talks with after announcing he and McLaren were parting ways. 

The announcement came part way through the 2022 season that McLaren would not be extending their contract with Ricciardo at the end of 2022. Shortly after the 2022 season had come to a close, it was confirmed that Ricciardo was returning to Red Bull as a reserve driver. 

During a recent episode of Formula 1's Beyond The Grid podcast, Ricciardo revealed the other teams that he was having discussions with. He explained:

“There was a couple of times where [Ferrari] was linked. But, I think coming back to a seat next year as Guenther [Steiner, Haas Team Principal] said, he reached out and stuff.

“The more… days that passed and, especially as I did the triple-header to get back into the second half of the season – so three days on the bounce – it became more and more clear that it wasn’t about what phone call I was receiving; it was about me acknowledging that I just ultimately don’t want to be competing next year.

“So, in a way I am glad that, let’s say, a top team didn’t reach out, because it's one of those ones where you probably feel, ‘Oh, I’ve got to sign it’, but I think deep down I was just craving a bit of distance.”

The eight-time GP winner continued:

“Yeah, you could call it some burnout, but I’m not afraid to admit that or say that, and it’s one of those ones where, you know, everyone will have an opinion and this and that, but it’s ultimately that I know what I feel, I know what I want. It was some of that.

“And I feel very... I don’t want to say that I’m the only driver that feels this way, but I would say that I’m not the normal sportsman where I kind of just use ‘practice makes perfect’. The more I do sometimes, the more I’m just like getting kind of lost in it, where I kind of feel like the power of a break for me, some time off, I could come back better. I know for me that could actually be really good.”

Ricciardo very quickly became a fan favourite on Netflix's Drive To Survive for his hilarious sense of humour that he brought to the grid so it is no surprise that so many fans are sad to not see him on the grid next year. However, he has made it clear that he hopes to return for the 2024 season.