Daniel Ricciardo has remained upbeat following speculation he may be replaced at McLaren and has a burning desire to turn his form around in Formula 1. Earlier this month it was reported Zak Brown and co are said to be trying to move the eight-time race winner on in order to create space to sign reigning Formula Two champion Oscar Piastri.
The young Australian was due to drive for McLaren after they made an official announcement saying they had promoted their reserve driver to a seat with them next season. However, Piastri denied the claim as he reportedly seems to have agreed a deal with McLaren to line up alongside Lando Norris in 2023 instead.
Alpine believes, as their junior driver, Piastri is contractually obliged to drive for them next year. It is an awkward situation for the 33-year-old to be in, having been caught in the crossfire of the driver dispute between the two teams.
The F1 star has endured a difficult season, languishing 12th in the drivers standings with just 19 points and rumours had been swirling earlier in the season regarding an early McLaren exit. But the Aussie has reiterated his commitment to F1 and intentions to improve for the rest of the season.
Asked what continues to keep him motivated, Ricciardo told Speedcafe : “There’s certainly a few things. I believe I still thrive off it because I still believe I belong [in Formula 1] and can do it. That’s what really gets me jacked. And the love of it, as well as knowing any weekend it could be there, it could be around the corner.
“Monza last year…a week before at Zandvoort nobody was predicting that, not even myself, so even just the thought of a weekend like that could be one week away, it’s pretty cool.” Should Piastri fill Ricciardo’s McLaren seat, it is likely the experienced driver could fill Alonso's seat at Alpine, with the Spaniard set to drive for Aston Martin next year.
Regardless of what future holds, Ricciardo feels he is not yet done with F1 and has at least another couple of years in him – and he also realises how fortunate he is to do what he loves for a living. “Like, the competition…it has to be one of the only sports in the world where there’s only 20 people doing it,” said Ricciardo.
“The competition is such like a small 0.001 per cent of a group. So to be able to not only be part of that group but to compete inside that group, that’s such a unique thing in itself. And so I love that.” And he also derives huge satisfaction when – as has been the case all too infrequently of late – things go according to plan.
“The truth is, the highs you get are just so high because so much goes into it,” he added. "Of course you take risks. Like to win a race for example, you haven’t gone for a Sunday drive, you’ve put it all on the line, the team have, you’ve pushed your body mentally and physically. So then the high and the reward is pretty amazing and pretty spectacular.”
