Mercedes Workforce Principal Toto Wolff says he admires Daniel Ricciardo as a driver and has at all times stored a detailed eye on him.
It appears like Daniel Ricciardo’s time with McLaren is coming to an finish. The 33-year-old has struggled throughout his time with the British racing staff since becoming a member of them in 2021.
Ricciardo was outperformed by his teammate Lando Norris in 2021. Though, he gave McLaren their first race win in virtually 10 years on the 2021 Italian GP.
And the Aussie has managed to attain factors in simply 4 of the primary 13 races of the 2022 season. He stands twelfth within the driver’s standing with simply 19 factors.
It’s rumoured that the reigning F2 champion and fellow Australian Oscar Piastri is about to exchange him at McLaren in 2023. Piastri not too long ago rejected driving for Alpine in a web based assertion after the French staff introduced he’ll change outgoing Fernando Alonso.
I perceive that, with out my settlement, Alpine F1 have put out a press launch late this afternoon that I’m driving for them subsequent yr. That is unsuitable and I’ve not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I can’t be driving for Alpine subsequent yr.
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) August 2, 2022
Ricciardo’s departure and Piastri’s incoming might be introduced by McLaren after the present driver finds a seat. And Ricciardo is likely heading to his former staff Alpine with whom he drove between 2019 and 2020.
Danny Ric is a charismatic character on and off the observe. And evidently, he has a whole lot of admirers. And one in every of them being Toto Wolff who has at all times “had an eye fixed” on him.
Additionally Learn: Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer disgusted by $1.5 Million value F1 driver’s change to McLaren
Mercedes boss has an eye fixed on Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo is thought off-track for his broad smile, his humour and jolly behaviour. However on observe, Daniel is a special driver altogether.
He’s recognized for his late braking and fierce driving. These have been his property throughout his Purple Bull days from 2014 to 2018 when he gained 9 Grand Prix and completed twice because the third finest driver within the standings.
And one in every of his admirers is Mercedes Workforce Principal Toto Wolff who has favored Daniel’s driving. “We at all times had an eye fixed on Daniel. We actually like him in right here,” Wolff mentioned.
WATCH: Daniel Ricciardo dropped by for a chat similtaneously Mercedes boss Toto Wolff #SkyF1 #F1 #MalaysiaGP pic.twitter.com/2KvVLygrbv
— Sky Sports activities F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 30, 2017
And Wolff was eager on snatching up the Aussie. However Mercedes who loved a dominant profitable streak had a formidable pair of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. And due to this fact, the thought of bringing Daniel to Mercedes by no means took off.
On the thought of signing Daniel from rivals, Purple Bull Wolff mentioned, “It’s simply the mentality in Mercedes. I generally really feel for those who’re completely satisfied in your relationship it isn’t at all times simple to alter.”
“It’s like being married, it is advisable be 100 per cent behind it. And was not a scarcity of curiosity. It was simply that we have been in a cheerful relationship and there was no have to flirt with one other girl at that stage.”
And with Daniel on the transfer and Lewis’s contract expiring after the 2023 season, there may very well be a chance that the transfer takes off. Ricciardo simply has to hope that the doorways to race with Mercedes do open for him!
Additionally Learn: Daniel Ricciardo’s sacking attracts parallels with $500,000-a-year driver fired by McLaren on his birthday