Daniel Ricciardo has three meager top ten finishes in the 2022 season. Team-mate Lando Norris, on the other hand, has scored points seven times and even finished on the podium in Imola. Consequently, the rumors of a possible Ricciardo exit from McLaren persist despite the current contract until 2023 and have recently received new fuel.
Last week, the traditional racing team from Woking announced the commitment of Alex Palou. As the reigning champion of the US IndyCar Series, the Spaniard has already proven his great potential and has received plenty of advance praise from McLaren boss Zak Brown: “Alex is an incredibly talented driver who has in every series he has driven is, has won races. I’m delighted to welcome him to the McLaren family.”
According to media reports, the 24-year-old could also be traded more and more hotly as Ricciardo’s successor if the performance of the experienced Australian in Formula 1 does not improve by the end of the season.
McLaren initially wants to use Palou as a test driver
Ricciardo had recently commented publicly on the speculation about his person. Nevertheless, the Honey Badger’s future could continue to be the subject of intense debate if he continues to trail teammate Norris so clearly. The record so far in the drivers’ standings: 17:64 points from Ricciardo’s point of view against Norris.
Like the Spanish sports newspaper “like“Recently announced that the working paper between McLaren and Ricciardo, which is still valid for a year and a half, should contain exit clauses that the British designer could make use of in case of doubt.
It is clear that the Spaniard Alex Palou will definitely do his first test drives in last year’s car and will also be used as a test driver for the coming Formula 1 season.
The competition and the internal pressure for Daniel Ricciardo, who can already look back on 221 starts and eight Grand Prix victories in his Formula 1 career, is increasing.