Daniel Ricciardo. So where now for Daniel?

If Ricciardo took a year off, what seats come available next year that aren't available now?

• Mercedes: maybe if Hamilton retires, but they won't want him.
• Red bull: I think Checo is out of contract after next season, but they won't want him.
• Ferrari: oddly you could see this happening, what with Ferrari's tactical genius and Ricciardo's Italian heritage. (not really)
• McLaren: obviously not
• Alpine: also, obviously not
• Alpha Tauri: really can't see him going back into the red bull family.
• Aston Martin: Stroll is driver for life, and alonso is there for the forseeable
• Sauber: I don't think they've confirmed Zhou for next year, but maybe there could be an opening after next season?
• Williams: depends on who replaces Latifi
• Haas: KMag has 'long term' deal, looks like Schumacher is gone. So could be a seat there now or next year.

On the assumption that Schumacher is gone from Haas, there are 2 seats available to Ricciardo this year (Haas or Williams), with the Alfa Romeo Sauber seat possibly available next year. So I don't get why he'd sit out a year, there's nothing likely to come along.

Although, a random musing: Andretti want into the sport, and I've heard suggestions that if they can't get a new team they might buy Alpha Tauri. I've heard Mario Andretti say that he'd like 2 American drivers in his team, but Ricciardo is the most popular driver in the states apparently (he's been on a bunch of the late night shows), so that could be a good fit?

WEC, end of.

At least get my facts right? Says you... now that's ironic!

I clearly said Daniel signed a deal with Mclaren before starting his second season with Renault. I'd be rather interested to see how you came to the conclusion that is a false statement.

In reality Renault publicly questioned his commitment, loyalty and when he announced his move and its no secret that the higher ups in the organisation were royally pissed off at the embarrassment he caused.

Driving styles?? What are you on? In case you didn't notice, the cars are completely different now to what they were in 2021. Riccardo has been one of the worst performers on the entire grid in the new generation of cars and has had his ass well and truly handed to him in a way only Latifi would also understand.

Button speculated that the new design might have carried over the characteristics Ric doesn't like.

In any case, it up to him to adapt. The car is fast. We know that because Norris drives it well.

Another example of this is Hamilton struggling with the new mercedes at the start of this season. He was being soundly neaten by Russell. But he's adapted and now he's the faster of the 2 Mercedes. It's up to the driver to adapt even if the car isn't to their liking.

Can anyone think of a comparable situation to DRic? Someone who showed clear pace, was seen as one of the very best and has had such a fall that they might be out of F1 in just 2 years.

I can't think of any. It might be a cautionary tale to young drivers to consider staying in a top car even if it means being de facto No2.

Personally, l think DR made the wrong choice in hindsight but it was a good decision at the time. Renault have been saying they're just about to make the leap to the front ever since they returned to F1. DR gambled and it didn't pay off.

The move to mclaren was also a good decision on paper but his form at mclaren is really surprising.

That's about as close as it gets. But none of them were ever flying as high as DR. He's a multiple race winner and had a reputation as one of the best. He was never viewed as the very best like Hamilton or Max, but he was in the elite tier.

Remember his reputation for incredible overtakes? Late on the brakes and sailing down the inside. I can't think of anyone else who fell so far so quickly.

The Renault decision was massive alright. I would say money was a serious factor too - don’t know how true it is but looking it up it looks like he went from $6m a year at RB to $35m a year at Renault. 99% of people would find that kind of jump and financial security impossible to turn down.

The fact that he was offered that shows how highly regarded he was. Without that offer, I don’t think it’s a stretch to see an alternate path being that he stays at RB and gets Vettels Ferrari seat instead of Sainz. And if that happened he wouldn’t have been judged at all until this year, and in a car capable of winning races.

He must have! McLaren looked racy, and switching to the Mercedes engine too must have made him think they had a great chance of being competitive. I remember thinking at the time I was a great move for him. How wrong I was!

fair post. The only bit i'd take issue with is the idea that mclaren never tailored the car to DR. He was brought in as their main driver. Norris has really proven himself since then but he was hardly their clear No.1 at the time. I doubt they were developing the car based on what Norris said and ignoring DR's input. I'd have imagined it was fairly 50:50.

Granted the 2021 car was already largely designed when he arrived. But the 2022 car will have been designed with both drivers in mind.

Ya but at the same time would carry more weight coming from an ex McLaren, world champion who is at the track most weekends and would personally know the majority of the McLaren team still.

Why, he'll probably join one of the new Works teams in WEC and thats going to be absolutely awesome.

Can't wait to see him in person at the Centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans next June, probably in one of these beautiful machines....