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MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Race winner Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and McLaren F1 celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 12, 2021 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Clive Mason – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
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MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Race winner Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and McLaren F1 celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 12, 2021 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Clive Mason – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Daniel Ricciardo is at a cross-road in terms of his Formula 1 career. He has had a nightmare of a partnership with McLaren and it was recently announced that he will not be a McLaren driver at the end of the year. However, he still has backers who believe in his abilities and feel he can still bring a lot to the sport.
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After the Dutch Grand Prix, Fast & Loose: F1 released their “debrief”. The hosts of the podcast spoke about a multitude of things. Amongst them came up the topic of Daniel Ricciardo. Will Arnett had a few things to say about the Aussie.
Arnett said, “I just want to see him succeed.”
He went on to explain why this was so. “He’s a terrific guy and he is an incredible ambassador for Formula 1.”
Arnett believes Ricciardo is crucial to making Formula 1 a better product. He further added, “This is a business. And really exposing Formula 1 to the broader world and the US is important for the growth of the sport.”
So can Ricciardo turn his recent run of form around and continue to be the great representative that he is?
As things stand, we might not see the Honey Badger in Formula 1 in 2023 after all. At the Dutch Grand Prix, the Australian was caught out by the TV cameras while having a candid discussion with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.
Daniel Ricciardo plans to take “a year off” from F1 amid McLaren sacking
Daniel Ricciardo’s future in the sport is uncertain after McLaren decided to onboard Oscar Piastri to replace the Honey Badger. However, we might just have that bit of clarity we were seeking. And it came straight from the horse’s mouth.
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MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – MAY 26: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing looks on from a boat after qualifying for the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Monaco on May 26, 2018 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
At the Dutch Grand Prix, Ricciardo was chatting Sergio Perez up. Not being aware that TV cameras were snooping on their conversation, Ricciardo inadvertently said, “Take year off and come back in 2024”.
He quickly went silent once he realized the cameras were on him.
Rumors suggest that Ricciardo might be on the move to Mercedes, albeit in a reserve driver role. In light of this, is his decision the right one? Or should he look to find a seat at Alpine?
Written by
Edited by
Ranvijay Singh