Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren have arguably had a doomed relationship from the very beginning. McLaren is axing the Australian in favor of Oscar Piastri. However, it would appear that this would do the Woking-based team good in 13.5 million different ways.

When Daniel Ricciardo signed for McLaren, he did so on a blockbuster contract. However, with Piastri coming in with little to no experience in F1, McLaren was able to secure his services for a sum that was considerably lower than what they were paying for veteran Ricciardo.

According to sources, Oscar Piastri’s Mclaren contract is going to set the British team back by around 460,00 dollars a year. On the flip side, Ricciardo was on a $14 million pay package. Needless to say, this will act as a great equalizer for McLaren in the cost-cap era. Norris will be paid upwards of $20 million next season.

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Ricciardo’s exit from McLaren was acrimonious. However, it would appear that the Honey Badger holds no grudges against the youngster who will replace him at McLaren the next year.

Daniel Ricciardo hailed as a “true professional” by replacement Oscar Piastri

Oscar Piastri was the chosen one. However, his entry into the sport has divided fans. His conduct with Alpine, and then his replacing F1 fan favorite Daniel Ricciardo means that the Australian will have a rocky start to his F1 career next year.

Even though you might be able to understand if Ricciardo wouldn’t want to look Piastri in the eye, nothing could be further from the truth. According to Piastri, “Him getting in touch like that, that was great for me personally, knowing that there were no hard feelings. That really helps me quite a lot, and it was good to get in touch.”

He went on, “That was a true professional, my respect for him was already extremely high and it’s only got higher in the way he’s responded.”

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Do you think Oscar Piastri could fill in the boots of Daniel Ricciardo as the next best Australian F1 driver once the Honey Badger decides to hang up his helmet?