McLaren Racing and Daniel Ricciardo can confirm that Daniel’s 2023 contract has been terminated early as both parties have mutually agreed that he will leave the team at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season.
Daniel joined McLaren Racing in 2021, and since then, he has experienced a number of memorable racing moments, including taking first place in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 2021.
McLaren were the only team to achieve a one-two last season en route to securing fourth position in the Constructors’ Championship.
Ricciardo joined from Renault towards the end of 2020, but after finishing in a one-two at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza the previous year, he hasn't been able to match the success of British teammate Lando Norris.
Before this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, which finishes the sport's August break, Ricciardo shared the news with his 7.3 million Instagram followers. He described it as "bittersweet."
The 33-year-old stated, "We put a lot of effort into it on all sides, but it just hasn't worked the way we hoped. So the squad has chosen to make a change for next year.
"We had a lot of discussions but in the end we mutually agreed it was the right thing for both of us.
"I will continue to do the rest of this year, absolutely, and continue to give it my all ... What lies ahead, I'm not sure yet."
Australian Oscar Piastri, the 21-year-old reserve driver for Renault-owned Alpine, is anticipated to take over for Ricciardo.
Although Piastri has reportedly rejected Alpine's offer to replace departed double world champion Fernando Alonso, Alpine claims that Piastri is under contract with them.
Drivers on a number of other teams will also be out of contracts at the end of the season.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown told reporters, "We are very hopeful that Daniel will be on the grid next year.
One of the biggest and most well-known figures in the sport, Ricciardo, said he would smile as he looked back and that his time at McLaren had taught him lessons that will help him in both his professional and personal life going forward.
"From a results point of view, to consistently get the results in that form that I was after, it wasn't always there and made some weekends tough. I felt those absolutely. But I also have many happy memories of my time at the team," he said.
In comparison to Norris, who has 76 points from 13 races and a third-place finish at Imola, Ricciardo has 19 points this season with a best finish of sixth.
The news had to be made in advance of the weekend, according to Brown, so that the squad would race without interruption.
He declared, "I have a very cordial and nice connection with Daniel."
Although it's regrettable that it's coming to an end, Monza stands out as my personal most thrilling experience while working for McLaren.