Ricciardo isn’t walking away from McLaren…why would he?

A major development in one of Formula 1’s biggest sagas came last week as Daniel Ricciardo insisted he is “committed to McLaren until the end of next year” and has no intention of walking away.

Well, you might have said, of course he hasn’t. Why would he?

Ricciardo’s ongoing struggles alongside team-mate Lando Norris had raised serious fears about his F1 future, that the three-year contract he signed with McLaren from the beginning of the 2021 season may be brought to an early end.

But with multiple sources indicating that the option for the partnership to be prematurely terminated is on his side alone, Ricciardo finds himself in an unusual position.

He has not met expectations and continues to underperform, of that there is no doubt, but he still holds all the power. His future, uniquely, remains totally in his hands.

And, from his perspective, why should he walk away?

With his reputation damaged potentially beyond repair, his current salary – a reported $15million per season, if you please – would not be obtainable elsewhere and, despite an inconsistent 2022, McLaren remain the team best placed to join the elite in the coming years.

If his current predicament appears bleak, the alternatives were he to part ways with McLaren at the end of this year do not bear thinking about.

Aston Martin? Not if Lawrence Stroll has learned anything from his gamble on Sebastian Vettel when it comes to signing drivers in decline. Williams? Daniel wouldn’t exactly be going down with dignity.

Could he cleverly position himself to be involved in Audi’s anticipated F1 entry, maybe? He could, but he’d be pushing 37 by the time the Four Rings arrive on the grid in 2026…

McLaren’s diversification into IndyCar and Formula E has inevitably led to