Ricciardo thinks reserve F1 seat is better than Haas move
Oct.24 - Daniel Ricciardo has now confirmed Gunther Steiner's suspicion that the Australian does not want to keep his Formula 1 racing dream alive at Haas in 2023.
Team boss Steiner said in Austin that he didn't know why the axed McLaren driver seemed to prefer a reserve seat with a top team next year rather than a full-time race seat in the midfield.
Currently, Ricciardo is not even in the midfield, as he finished 16th on merit in the US GP compared to teammate Lando Norris' sixth at the chequered flag.
Daniel Ricciardo driving the McLaren MCL36 at COTA (2022)
"Honestly, it's been just so far off the pace that I simply can't lean on it, can't push, can't get the time out of it. To have such a big margin again remains a mystery," he said. "When you think it can't get worse it does. I don't know how I'm continuing to continue because painful is an understatement."
It was thought that Ricciardo was set to become Mercedes' official reserve next year, but stronger rumours now suggest he is close to signing up for a similar role with Red Bull.
"I don't know, for now it's just rumours," Ricciardo said when asked in Austin.
"Am I talking? Yes. But we haven't put pen to paper or anything like that yet."
He also rejected McLaren supremo Zak Brown's offer of a move to Indycar.
"Ovals, really not," said Ricciardo. "Ten years ago I would have said yes. But I can honestly say that I don't feel good with ovals."
Curiously, however, he has also said 'no' to Haas.
"With what's available now, it's better to focus my goal on something else," he insisted. "I think it would be better for me to stick to my plan."
2009 world champion Jenson Button admits that Ricciardo's situation is not only "sad", but also "weird".
"It's a tough one," he told Sky UK. "I don't think he's checked out. Daniel will always want to fight but it's just not working for him."
As for the reserve driver plan, Button said that move for the 33-year-old winner of eight grands prix is just "weird".
"It's just weird for me. It doesn't work," he said. "But that's obviously what he's chosen to do.
"I'd rather he was racing in Formula 1 in a team that's further down the grid. Then he can prove himself again and maybe get a drive further up the grid.
"But as a third driver, people will just remember his last race this year."
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
With DR I suppose it's whatever pays the most
Daniel has lost his motivation to succeed. Hopefully, a year out of action will benefit him and improve his motivation.
A seat at Haas would be a dead end for him after driving for very competitive teams with good equipment.
Yep, driving for a backmarker would magnify his discontent, and reserve driver would be just plain boring. Not my business, but IMO a good decision for DRic would be to head for Australia and drive those fire breathing stock cars. If that doesn't clear your head, nothing will.
I think hell be looking at Alonso and thinking to himself, Im a winner just like him, alas while Alonso still looks like a winner, DR doesnt on any front
DR's fatal mistake was to leave Red Bull thinking that he was more promising than Max. Both of his current options are dead ends.
And by the way, there is no such thing as a comeback in F1, specially when you've reached the end of the road.
"And by the way, there is no such thing as a comeback in F1, specially when you've reached the end of the road."
Careful, TP, Gunny seems to be making Haas a destination resort for pensioners. I guess it depends on your definition of the road's end.
It's his life to make the choice. I don't agree with it, but again.....
“Ricciardo thinks reserve F1 seat is better than Haas move” - exact same mentality the hulk had 3 yrs ago - i wonder what hes up to now?
he better hope haas doesnt turn up with a white 2022 ferrari next year
That's right! So true. people were laughing when Sainz went to Ferrari. the 2022 Ferrari is faster than any McLaren right now. Maybe DR is scared that the Haas seat will remove all doubt that he is done.
I heard he will become ambassador for McLeans toothpaste.
Is that still made?
I’m thinking some type of Nasal Spray
Lol
It sad no matter what he chooses to do. He had talent but events and circumstances overcame him. If he wants to stay in the game by being a reserve driver, he should. Not having a crystal ball just opinion, I think DR I will be driving into the sunset with fond memories of what could have been. I wish him all the happiness, a nice man!
Yes, yes of course... But the problem is that in F1 you don't win because you are a nice man, you don't even get to win if you have a rich daddy. DR is being pushed out by better and more promising drivers, that's how it works.
I think Susan mean hes not an Arse...............
Yes, we all know personalities have nothing to do with winning. Not the point.
This is happening because teams kow tow to pay drivers and use the experienced team mates knowledge to set them up
Will you F1 journos stop referring to RIC as a top driver . He isn't , the really good drivers adapt to the car not have to have a car that suits him.
Most journos don 't analyse his driving objectiveley , he is a good driver , not a really good driver and definiteley not WDC material.
He ran away from a fight with Max before he was completeley outclassed so he could keep talking himself up as a WDC potential, now he is banging on about his win last year at Monza.
He is a good driver that's all.
Problem with Haas is it’s Haas, who knows what they are going to produce next year, I’d stick it out for a year as a reserve driver and see what direction Haas head in and if Hamilton has another bad year he is liable to throw his tiara out the cot and bugger off. MB would then be looking for someone to be George’s wingman and Ricciardo would be the ideal candidate. Steiner is practically stalking Ricciardo so I’m guessing he wasn’t there for the No means No talk. If they have a good year then approach Gene Haas he has marketability in the states thanks to Netflix and I’m guessing the next series will still feature him prominently.
Personally I would have parked a 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo outside his garage and told him every time he beats Lando he gets to drive it.
Sir Lewis does NOT wear a tiara that is a vicious rumour spread by people who think he's past it.As anyone knows he wears a crown like a good Queen should....
Shrop', incorrect and unusual shallow thinking. Lewie's locs transcend the bling of both a crown and a tiara, especially with fresh dye.
I doth my cap, Ror you are of course, correct in your thinking, I must try harder, Huey,Dewie and Sir Louie--Silent running 1972
Strange that Riccardo has said driving circles scares him. I would have thought flying down Conrod Straight at Mount Panorama a 2km downhill run with a bloody big hump in the middle where you will think your one of the Duke boys before it again drops down in a V8 Supercars that’s touching on 300km/h as you approach the Chase which is a right hand bend that you need to scrub off 200km in a split second turn is scary. But apparently according to Riccardo it’s fun. Go Figure
Easy to understand if you have driven a racecar at 200+ mph down a long straight that feels like a 12' wide tunnel and you seem to be headed directly into an unyielding wall.
That’s what I meant like how the hell does going around in circles scare him.