Daniel Ricciardo seems to be dealing with the tip of his System 1 profession if he leaves McLaren on the finish of this season, says Ralf Schumacher.
The Australian has reportedly been instructed he will probably be changed by his youthful compatriot Oscar Piastri for the 2023 marketing campaign.
That information has but to be confirmed, nonetheless, and types a number one storyline within the ‘foolish season’ saga that started with Sebastian Vettel asserting he’ll retire after the season-finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November.
Aston Martin subsequently wanted a driver and signed Fernando Alonso from Alpine, who promptly introduced Piastri because the Spaniard’s successor.
That was knocked down inside a few hours by the reigning System 2 champion although, who posted on social media the knowledge was “unsuitable” and that he wouldn’t be driving for Alpine subsequent yr – as his sturdy hyperlinks with McLaren started to emerge.
Speak of the quantity of compensation Ricciardo would demand from McLaren if his contract was ended a yr early has additionally surfaced, that determine depending on whether or not he would settle for a suggestion to race for one more staff – equivalent to Alpine, for instance.
But when the 33-year-old doesn’t return to the Enstone-based squad, whom he left after they had been titled Renault to affix McLaren on the finish of 2020, which may be it for him in F1, in accordance with pundit Schumacher.
“After which there may be the query of Daniel Ricciardo,” stated the previous Williams, Jordan and Toyota driver on the Sky Germany web site.
“Personally, I can’t think about him getting one other probability in System 1. However I wouldn’t know who Alpine ought to take in the intervening time.”
Will or not it’s Daniel Ricciardo at Alpine in 2023 or another person?
Alpine’s selection because the accomplice for Esteban Ocon is actually the large quandary as of now relating to the 2023 F1 line-up – until, after all, they win what’s prone to be a courtroom case up in opposition to McLaren for the providers of Piastri.
Will they go for a present driver elsewhere on the grid whose future just isn’t nailed down for the medium time period, equivalent to Pierre Gasly or Ralf’s personal nephew Mick Schumacher?
May there be a Kevin Magnussen-style return for a racer who thought their F1 profession was achieved, equivalent to Nico Hulkenberg or Daniil Kvyat? The latter would rely on him competing underneath a impartial ‘FIA’ flag, after all.
Or what about one other teenager if they’re snubbed by Piastri? Choices embrace F2 Championship chief Felipe Drugovich or their very own academy prospect Jack Doohan.
Right here’s what Ralf Schumacher says: “The names are there, with each cockpit. Mick hasn’t signed a contract but both, so he could be a candidate. A candidate with velocity, as you’ve got seen.
“Nico Hülkenberg can also be nonetheless within the beginning blocks.”