In 2022, seeing his underwhelming season, McLaren decided to part ways with Daniel Ricciardo. But for 2023, he didn’t aggressively look for another seat that could make him compete in F1 regularly even though there were interests by Williams and Haas.
The Australian International driver further stated that he would want some time off from the sport. He justified his non-participation by saying he couldn’t have been his 100% in a car this year.
🚨 | Daniel Ricciardo has reportedly received $18 million in compensation from McLaren as a result of his premature departure from the team. pic.twitter.com/AcLbmax2GJ
— AnythingF1 (@AnythingF1_) January 2, 2023
In the end, Ricciardo signed as a third driver with Red Bull. This duty would allow him to take his much-required break and remain in contact with F1 as he wishes to return in 2024 or maybe later.
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Mika Hakkinen thinks Daniel Ricciardo has a low chance of coming back
Unlike the majority of other sports, only 20 drivers get to compete in F1 every year. And it’s not even like 20 new drivers come yearly, but only one or two get a break every season. Therefore, the competition is still more than imagined.
Therefore. former world champion Mika Hakkinen thinks it’s unlikely for Ricciardo to manage a comeback. He claims in 2001 when he already had two championships. He couldn’t afford to think of a sabbatical.
“I left Formula 1 in 2001. I was two times world champion, and I had a chance to have a sabbatical year,” explained Hakkinen. “He is leaving Formula 1 unfortunately when he is kicked out.”
He asks how Ricciardo would convince the teams that he has improved and still possesses his skills from his Red Bull and Renault days. Amidst the cutthroat competition, Hakkinen thinks Ricciardo won’t be able to sell himself to other teams upon his return.
A defence for the Honey-badger
Hakkinen isn’t wrong about Ricciardo’s slim chances of getting into F1, and his example further validates his opinion. However, certain things can absolutely work in his favour.
Many prominent F1 members believe that Ricciardo and Mclaren didn’t click with each other, and the former can still nail with other teams. If Ricciardo feels for him at present would be better if he stays away from F1. Then it’s better than harming his reputation even more with some other team.
Nevertheless, he would still be doing some testing and simulator work with Red Bull next season. Te data from there can work as evidence that Ricciardo can still run in the sport. And in recent years, drivers have only returned even after years of sabbatical.
Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg and even Hakkinen’s arch-rival Michael Schumacher. So, neither the history nor the conditions are totally against Ricciardo.
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