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ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 02: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia in the (3) McLaren MCL36 Mercedes during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on September 02, 2022 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Alex Pantling – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

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ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 02: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia in the (3) McLaren MCL36 Mercedes during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on September 02, 2022 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Alex Pantling – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Unity can be considered an arbitrary concept. However, a majority of the Formula 1 fandom is in unison with their feelings towards the treatment of Daniel Ricciardo. Most fans feel Ricciardo did not deserve to get his McLaren seat snatched away from him.
However, the chief of optimism did not let the early contract termination affect him. As things stand, the Australian is yet to find a seat for the 2023 season. However, Ricciardo has made no surprise of his desire to continue in the premier class and he’s willing to wait it out.
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Amid the uncertainty, Ricciardo clearly outlined his goal in an exclusive interview. The outgoing McLaren man is ready for the future and is embracing the uncertainty.
He said, “I still want to be a Formula 1 driver. I still want to compete. There is one percent of people that I’d like to prove wrong. Maybe that means a year away from a race seat, but that year is not forever.”
“It’s just trying to then set me up if all else fails. I do back myself. Success is so much sweeter after some struggle,” he concluded.
Ricciardo also pointed out that a lot of things need to be aligned for a racing team to get the desired results. However, for him, the team and the car did not fit well, which translated to poor performance leading to the contract termination.
Despite all that, there is no loss of optimism in the Honey Badger and he also understands McLaren’s take on the whole situation.
Daniel Ricciardo communicates his mature outlook on his McLaren ousting
Early contract termination is never a good look for any driver. However, Ricciardo understands the team’s decision and labels the whole scenario “not personal”.
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Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren F1 Team, portrait during the Formula 1 Winter Tests at Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya on February 24, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
He said, “None of this is personal now. We are all on our own personal journey and our personal quest to be the best. It’s not the way I wanted it to end, but it’s not through a lack of effort.”
“We’ve certainly tried to make it work and sometimes yeah you just gotta suck it up and move on.”
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WATCH THIS STORY: Struggling ‘Honey Badger’ Daniel Ricciardo Once Dominated the Streets of Azerbaijan in Glorious 2017
The mature and understanding outlook is exactly what makes Ricciardo an utter professional. Losing out on an opportunity to travel with the circus because of a poor stint will be unjust and a loss not only for the Honey Badger but also for the sport.
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