Daniel Ricciardo to leave McLaren after 2022 season

Ricciardo had the option to race for McLaren during the 2023 season but the team and the driver decided to part ways after an underwhelming stint.

Ricciardo joined McLaren in 2021 from Renault Racing. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Formula 1 team McLaren announced on Wednesday that it will part ways with Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo after the current season.

“McLaren Racing and Daniel Ricciardo have mutually agreed that Daniel will leave the team at the end of the 2022 season,” the racing team said in a statement.

Ricciardo confirmed his departure from the British outfit on Instagram and said, “We’ve put in a lot of effort but just has not worked the way we wanted it to. so, the team decided to make a change.”

The 33-year-old is yet to announce a team for the next season. “I think for the future, what lies ahead, I am not sure. But we’ll see,” Ricciardo said.

At Monza in 2021 season, Ricciardo became the first McLaren driver to win a race since 2012. The last driver to manage the feat was Jenson Button.

The Australian driver sits with only 19 points in the driver’s championship this season, and has been outperformed by British teammate Lando Norris. Norris has 76 points.

The season will resume after the summer break on August 28 with the Belgian Grand Prix.

( With inputs from AP)