The echoes of the rough departure of Daniel Ricciardo from McLaren after the 2022 season continue to reverberate through the F1 paddock. Even after the Aussie is back on the grid via Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri, the question still persists whether Daniel can regain the form of his old self. The latest episode in this ongoing saga comes from none other than McLaren’s Team Principal, Andrea Stella, who has stirred the pot this time. Stella made a statement that could be interpreted as a not-so-subtle dig at Ricciardo.

The timing of this comment is crucial. It’s no secret that Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from McLaren after just two seasons was met with mixed emotions. Many fans were disappointed by his lackluster performance and his inability to match his younger teammate, Lando Norris. However, there were also those who sympathized with Ricciardo, citing the challenges of adapting to a new team and car.

According to a tweet posted from the account @TheMcLarenZone, Stella said via the Athletic, “The driver dynamic has not been so balanced since the 2020 season.” Oscar Piastri joined McLaren after winning the Formula 2 championship. The Australian driver’s skill and potential have captured the attention of the F1 community, and he seems to have found his footing remarkably quickly within the McLaren team. Stella’s statement appears to be a not-so-subtle nod to Piastri’s positive influence on the team dynamics, implicitly contrasting it with Ricciardo’s struggle to integrate.

The phrase “The driver can be interpreted in a couple of ways. On one hand, it could be a simple observation about the harmony within the team, acknowledging that the working relationship between drivers hasn’t been this cohesive since the 2020 season. On the other hand, given the context, it could also be read as a veiled criticism of Ricciardo’s time with the team, suggesting that his presence disrupted the harmony that now seems to have been restored with Piastri’s arrival.

As with any cryptic social media post, interpretation can vary widely, and readers are left to speculate on Stella’s true intentions. One thing, however, is clear: Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from McLaren continues to be a topic of discussion, long after his exit. Whether intentional or not, Stella’s tweet has reignited the conversation and kept the spotlight on the team’s evolving driver dynamics. So what does Ricciardo have in mind for himself, now that he’s back on the grid?

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Revitalized Daniel Ricciardo looks to extend Formula 1 career

Ricciardo has firmly declared his intention to continue his Formula 1 journey for a few more years. This resolute decision comes on the heels of his triumphant return to the track with AlphaTauri following a brief sabbatical that saw him miss out on this year’s championship. The seasoned driver’s reentry into the racing world has been marked by a renewed sense of vigor, harkening back to his early days in the sport.

The decision to join forces with AlphaTauri was a strategic masterstroke, according to Helmut Marko, the Red Bull motorsport advisor. Marko praised Ricciardo’s impact on the team’s morale, asserting that his presence had instilled a very positive effect, in terms of mood and motivation. The Australian driver’s statement about channeling the spirit of his former self, the “Honey Badger” from a decade ago, speaks volumes about his current state of mind.

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While Ricciardo has not explicitly addressed the possibility of reuniting with Red Bull, the team that facilitated seven of his eight Grand Prix victories, his aspirations for the future are crystal clear. He has shifted his focus from the short term to a more extended horizon, aiming to continue his racing journey for several more years. This ambition represents a departure from his perspective just six months ago when the trajectory of his career was uncertain.

WATCH THIS STORY | Is Oscar Piastri Already Justifying His Talent By Performing Better Than Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren?