F1 boss reveals Daniel Ricciardo replacement de… read more 

F1 boss reveals Daniel Ricciardo replacement de… read more 

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has recently opened up about the internal decisions that led to Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from the team at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season. Speaking to Mail Sport, Brown revealed that Ricciardo was given a firm performance deadline — the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix — to prove his worth and secure his place in the team. Despite being allowed to finish out the season, McLaren had already started planning for a future without him by that point.

Ricciardo, who joined McLaren in 2021, had been expected to bring strong results and challenge his teammate Lando Norris. While he did provide McLaren with a spectacular win at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, his overall performance failed to meet the team’s expectations. In comparison to Norris, who consistently delivered solid results, Ricciardo struggled throughout his tenure. By 2022, Norris had managed to score points in 14 races, while Ricciardo only managed five point-scoring finishes.

Brown explained that the team maintained transparency with Ricciardo regarding their expectations. “We were very transparent with Daniel,” said Brown. “We loosely gave him until Monaco [2022] to prove himself. It didn’t work out and Oscar [Piastri] came high in our thoughts.” Although Ricciardo wasn’t immediately replaced following the Monaco GP, the internal decision-making had already shifted focus toward Piastri.

Oscar Piastri, who at the time was McLaren’s reserve driver, quickly became a leading candidate to take over the seat. Brown highlighted their pre-existing relationship with both Piastri and his manager, former F1 driver Mark Webber, as key factors that made the transition smoother. “Oscar had pedigree — he was winning in junior formulas in his first year,” Brown noted. This background, combined with the team’s familiarity with him through his reserve driver role, made him an attractive option.

Brown acknowledged that taking on a rookie driver like Piastri was a calculated risk, but one the team felt comfortable making given Norris’ strong performance. “At the same time Lando was killing it for us, so blooding another new, young driver was a risk we could afford to take,” he said. Interestingly, Brown also reflected on Ricciardo’s initial signing, stating that although Ricciardo wasn’t seen as a risk at the time, his stint with the team didn’t pan out as expected.

Since joining McLaren full-time, Piastri has proven to be a valuable asset. The young Australian has already secured six Grand Prix victories, putting him just three wins away from overtaking Ricciardo’s career tally of eight. His performance continues to validate McLaren’s decision to make the switch.

In summary, Ricciardo’s underwhelming form, paired with Norris’ consistency and Piastri’s promise, ultimately led to McLaren’s reshuffle. While Ricciardo’s time with the team had its moments, it’s clear that the shift toward youth and future potential was seen as the right move by McLaren leadership.