McLaren and Ricciardo last week confirmed a ‘mutual termination’ of his contract at the end of the 2022 season; the former Red Bull’s F1 future is in doubt; Christian Horner also offers opinion on Oscar Piastri saga
Last Updated: 29/08/22 11:32am
Christian Horner says he “doesn’t recognise” Daniel Ricciardo as the same driver he was during his time with Red Bull, following the Australian’s “very sad” exit from McLaren.
McLaren and Ricciardo last week confirmed a ‘mutual termination’ of his contract at the end of the 2022 season – a year short of completing the deal he signed when joining the team in 2021, which leaves him without a drive for the 2023 campaign.
Ricciardo has largely been unable to keep pace with McLaren team-mate Lando Norris and has amassed 51 less points than the Brit after 14 races this season.
“It’s just very sad,” Horner told Sky Sports F1. “Obviously, I’m not close to it. I’ve spoken to Daniel a little bit.
“I don’t recognise him as the same driver as he was with when he was with us. He’s one of the best guys out there. He’s definitely got that capability.
“His confidence has been zapped. We’re used to seeing him on the podium, doing shoeys, messing around with that big smile, and we don’t see any of that anymore.
“I hope for him that he finds an opportunity to further his career because I think Formula One is better off having him in this championship than not.”
Ricciardo, 33, claimed seven of his eight F1 victories during his five seasons with Red Bull from 2014-2018.
After underlining his status as one of the sport’s elite drivers by outperforming four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in his first season at Red Bull in 2014, Ricciardo would then twice finish ahead of future world champion Max Verstappen after the Dutchman joined the team in 2016.
With Ricciardo frustrated by Verstappen’s growing status in the team, he departed for Renault in 2019, before jumping ship to McLaren after just two seasons with the French team.
Ricciardo has expressed his desire to stay in F1, and has been linked with a return to Alpine (formerly Renault), along with the likes of Haas and Williams.
“I hope he finds a seat in Formula One, I hope he finds his mojo, because if you think back to some of the races he drove for us, winning the Monaco GP with 50 per cent of the power, he put in some amazing performances,” Horner said.
“You have to think when he was alongside Seb. When he first came into the team, how he delivered, how close he was obviously with Max as well.
“We saw how close those guys were. Max has evolved since Daniel left the team, but Daniel on his day, he was right there, he put in some amazing performances.
“We were sad to see him leave the team.”