Latest Episode | Cut To The Race Podcast
Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has been approached with a new opportunity to stay in F1 next year after his current seat looks to be under threat from fellow Australian Oscar Piastri.
Ricciardo’s most likely move was set to be a return to his former employer Alpine – formerly known as Renault.
However, according to ESPN, Haas F1 Team’s Günther Steiner has reportedly called Ricciardo, offering him a seat at the American-owned team for 2023 prior to the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Whilst the move may seem like a match made in heaven for Formula 1’s Drive To Survive series, Ricciardo’s salary remains a serious issue for Haas if they are seriously interested in working with the late-breaker.
Ricciardo currently earns a mouth-watering £11,7 Million annual salary at the Papaya team. Meanwhile, Mick Schumacher currently sits on £1,17 Million per annum.
Driver merry-go-round
With Ricciardo set to step away from his McLaren contract for a reported £17 Million payout, Alpine remains the logical destination for Ricciardo. The Australian is set to take over the Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso who is replacing the retiring four-time World Champions Sebastian Vettel.
However, with Mick Schumacher’s Haas contract yet to be sorted out, speculation seems to be growing that the young German driving could be the one pairing up with Frenchman Esteban Ocon.
Ricciardo’s thoughts
In an exclusive interview with Speedcafe.com, the Aussie discussed how he keeps himself motivated amidst such a difficult time in his F1 career.
“There’s certainly a few things,” he said.
“Like, the competition – it has to be one of the only sports in the world where there’s only 20 people that are doing it.
“The competition is such like a small, 0.001 per cent of a group. So to be able to not only be part of that group, but to compete inside that group, that’s such a unique thing in itself.
“And so I love that.
“The truth is, the highs you get are just so high because so much goes into it.
“Of course you take risks, like to win a race for example, you haven’t gone for a Sunday drive; you’ve put it all on the line, the team has, you’ve pushed your body, mentally and physically.
“So then the high and the reward is pretty amazing and pretty spectacular.
“I could probably keep going, but there are a few things.
“I believe I still thrive off it because I still believe I belong (in Formula 1) and can do it.
“That’s what really gets me jacked.”
There’s no doubt the Piastri and Ricciardo fiasco will die down anytime soon, with the Formula 1 headed to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend.
