This week, Tayla Talks brings you all the information on the Ricciardo V Piastri contract saga and the next stage of Ricciardo’s career.
If you’ve missed the chatter, buckle in tight because there’s a lot to uncover.
Shock announcement on the 24th of August left the F1 community saddened with Daniel Ricciardo (33) leaving McLaren at the end of 2022.
Although upsetting for fans, it was a huge possible outcome over the controversy with fellow Australian, Oscar Piastri (21).
The contract saga came to an end with the Honey Badger taking it upon himself to announce the news, preferring it came from him with a heartfelt, raw, and honest video.
It was announced he and the team had mutually agreed to go seperate ways for 2023 and beyond, with team principal Andreas Seidl (46) taking responsibility for the poor performance we’ve endured from McLaren over the past two seasons.
Continuing on, Daniel believes he has much more to achieve in his Formula 1 career. Support blossomed over the announcement for the Australian which showed his iconic role as a driver, bringing together a racing community despite high stakes. Whilst disheartening, we’ve seen many drivers go through team-torment and bad luck before, which have turned into results and points.
There had been rumours around Ricciardo heading to HAAS, BWT Alpine and Williams after the departure from McLaren. HAAS was a huge speculation, with Mick Schumacher‘s (23) seat not yet confirmed, and ESPN reporting that HAAS boss Gunther Steiner (57) had allegedly contacted the Australian. Amidst the chaos, one thing is clear; his replacement.
McLaren’s newly empty seat was filled by the highly-awaited young gun Piastri on a multi-year contact, announced on the 2nd of September (during the Dutch Grand Prix and minutes before FP2) soon after the contract recognition board came to a verdict.
BWT Alpine releasing a statement via Instagram reading the following,
‘BWT Alpine F1 Team thanks the Contract Recognition Board (CRB) for convening on Monday and we acknowledge the decision they have made.
‘We consider the matter closed on our side and will announce our full 2023 driver line-up in due course.’
BWT Alpine via Instagram
More details emerged later, confirming that the signing took place the Monday after the British Grand Prix – where Ricciardo finished 13th. This was all unbeknownst to the thirty-three year old, as he put out a statement saying his future was clear and he was committed to McLaren at the time.
Confusion boomed as BWT Alpine announced Piastri was to race for them in 2023 on the 3rd of August. The Contract Recognition Board reportedly later released that this was ineligible and that McLaren are the only ones that hold a contract.
BWT Alpine allegedly hadn’t submitted their contract to the CRB, meaning that it was based on more to do with Alpine Academy than Formula 1.
It doesn’t just end there either. BWT Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (26) began giving hints towards who he’d prefer as a teammate for 2023. Mick Schumacher filling his description as Ocon began pointing out the young German’s potential and talent, which would shine if given a championship contending car.
But where did this leave Daniel Ricciardo?
Most fans have shown the utmost respect for the Australian, but many are unsure of his next moves in the paddock. Would he retire along with Sebastian Vettel, or would he snag a seat elsewhere, where he can be the lead driver and drive a team forward?
The fear of leaving when four time World Champ, Vettel, retires continued as microphones overheard Ricciardo and Sergio Perez (32) at the Dutch Grand Prix, allegedly where Ricciardo proposed the idea of taking a year off from Formula 1 and returning in 2024. The video is available on Instagram with @ furiousf1.
Unknown and non-reputable sources began stating that he would be a Mercedes-AMG Petronas Reserve Driver as of 2023, enabling him to take a year off and be reintroduced into the paddock in 2024.
‘We always had an eye on Daniel… We really like him in here.’
Toto Wolff on Daniel Ricciardo – Yahoo!Sport
This was put to rest by Lewis Hamilton (37) earlier in September, stating he thinks Daniel has proved himself and is one of the best drivers in the Formula 1 paddock. The Brit spoke highly of the Australian, seeming supportive of whatever the future holds for him.
“I think he should be racing,” he said.
“He has earned the right to be amongst us all racing but of course if he is a part of our team that would be great. If I was his manager, he would be racing.”
The Guardian – Hamilton vows not to quit F1 as talk of Ricciardo to Mercedes gathers pace
On the 5th of September, news broke that Piastri’s manager, Mark Webber (46) had apologised, checking in with his fellow countryman.
A difficult situation, however needing to have the young ex Alpine Reserve Driver’s interest at heart. All was cleared and moved on from, Ricciardo expressing there was no hard feelings.
On the 23rd of September, a vacant seat appeared at Williams Racing gifted by Nicholas Latifi’s (27) departure at the end of the 2022 season.
Whilst speculation floated over each seat available in the paddock, it only intensified as anticipation kicked in.
As of then, there were three vacant seats remaining with Williams Racing, HAAS and BWT Alpine.
BWT Alpine and Scuderia AlphaTauri seats were confirmed with Pierre Gasly (26) and Nyck de Vries (27) over the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, leaving two seats vacant at Williams Racing and HAAS – with both Mick Schumacher and Ricciardo still unconfirmed.
With De Vries leaving the Mercedes-AMG Petronas camp, upgrading from reserve driver to full-time driver with AlphaTauri, excitement rose for Ricciardo.
However, Saturday the 8th of October had news escape from a twitter user.
Reportedly, Ricciardo had admitted he would not be on the grid for the 2023 season; speculation intensifying once again regarding a Mercedes-AMG Petronas reserve driver role, or a whole year out of it completely.
This news was a shockwave for the paddock, especially after a positive result in Singapore for the Australian and his teammate, Norris. Both Papaya cars in P4 and P5 – promising after the season endured.
After the weekend had been and gone, there was still no news from Ricciardo himself via social media and no videos available of the Australian confirming.
However statements were released from the media after Qualifying during the Japanese Grand Prix. Not at all what anyone expected to hear from the very loved and appreciated honey badger.
“Certainly the plan is still to be involved in F1,” said Ricciardo, who’s endured a tough 2022, scoring 29 points to team mate Lando Norris’s 100 – with countryman Oscar Piastri set to replace him at McLaren next year, “and this is kind of like just hitting pause for a little bit. That’s the way I see it as far as my F1 career goes.”
F1 – Ricciardo confirmation
At this point, nothing has yet been mentioned regarding future plans for Ricciardo, just a stark realisation from the 8 time Grand Prix winner.
Where could he be in the next year and will he reunite with the paddock in 2024? Leave your thoughts below.
Until next time,
Tayla Talks
Tayla Talks 
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