Double Formula 1 drivers' champion Mika Hakkinen concurs with Jenson Button's belief that Daniel Ricciardo will struggle to get back onto the grid after his McLaren axe.
The Aussie was contracted to compete in the 2023 season with the Woking-based outfit, but that deal was cut short a year early. Amid his continued struggles for consistency and performance, McLaren preferred to pay him off and sign rookie Oscar Piastri to take his place.
There were still a couple of other seats open at the time, at Haas and Williams. But, instead of competing for one of the teams at the back of the grid, Ricciardo decided to sign with Red Bull as a reserve to get a break from the sport and hope for better opportunities over the next 12 months.
