‘Proud’ Ricciardo to leave McLaren a year early

Daniel Ricciardo won McLaren’s first race since 2012 in Monza last year (AFP)

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo will leave McLaren at the end of the season a year early than his contract runs to after both parties mutually agreed to it the Formula One outfit announced on Wednesday.   

The 33-year-old, who joined in 2021, said he will leave “proud of the effort and work I gave McLaren.”   
Ricciardo has eight career wins, including one for McLaren last year -- the Italian Grand Prix.   

He has been largely played second fiddle to team-mate Lando Norris. The English driver has 76 points compared to Ricciardo’s 19.   

Norris finished sixth in last year’s championship on 160 points with Ricciardo eighth on 115 points. “It’s been a privilege to be a part of the McLaren Racing family for the last two seasons,” said Ricciardo in a statement issued by the team.   

 “Following several months of discussions with Zak (Brown, the CEO) & Andreas (Seidl, the team principal) we have decided to terminate my contract with the team early and agree to mutually part ways at the end of this season.”   

 “I’ll be announcing my own future plans in due course but regardless of what this next chapter brings, I have no regrets and am proud of the effort and work I gave McLaren, especially the win in Monza, last season.”   
Seidl paid tribute to Ricciardo’s positive attitude.   

 “Despite the shared challenges, he has always turned up with a fighting spirit and positivity and helped the entire team to always keep pushing forward,” said Seidl.   

 “We will never forget that memorable race win in Monza which was a great boost for the whole team.”   
(AFP)