Ex-F1 champion suggests Daniel Ricciardo is not a big enough 'd***' at the moment

According to Australia's only world champion, McLaren is preparing to trigger a clause that will cut Daniel Ricciardo loose from his Formula 1 contract for 2023.

Alan Jones, who won the title in 1980, suspects recent statements made by McLaren CEO Zak Brown indicate the Woking-based team is eyeing a more competitive driver for the seat alongside Lando Norris next year.

Ricciardo, 32, insisted in Monaco that his current deal extends into 2023 - with sources indicating that only the Australian himself can end the deal before it expires late next year.

2009 world champion Jenson Button thinks Brown's statements about Ricciardo have been astonishing.

"Zak is his own man, and I can't change his thoughts and what he says, but I was surprised that he came out and said that," he told Sky. "Everyone with the team should be protecting these drivers."

A secret meaning?

With the rumours already swirling as he arrived in Monaco, eagle-eyed spectators saw the new acronym "FEA" had suddenly appeared on Ricciardo's helmet livery.

Ricciardo did not deny that it stands for "F*** 'Em All".

"I had that on my helmet back in 2018," he explained. "I like using acronyms to motivate myself - it's honestly not aimed at anyone. It's something I've been saying for years, and it puts me in my happy place. It reminds me to get into the tunnel and my zone."

READ: OPINION | Why Daniel Ricciardo's poor McLaren form could mean his F1 exit

Countryman Jones, however, clearly thinks it's a sign that fellow world champion Jacques Villeneuve's suspicions are right that Ricciardo's time at McLaren "is over".

"If he doesn't improve quickly, I don't see him there much longer, to be honest," Jones told the Herald Sun newspaper.

As for the supposed 2023 contract, the