Devastated Ricciardo - "This isn't it for me"

Ian Parkes
Wednesday 24 August 2022 18:14 - Updated: 18:16

Daniel Ricciardo is adamant he has the 'fire in his belly' to succeed in F1 and that his exit from McLaren does not mean the end of his career in the sport.

Following an unsuccessful 18 months with McLaren, Ricciardo is to leave at the end of this season, with his contract being terminated a year ahead of schedule.

At present, there are no irons in the fire for the Australian, although he has been linked with a return to Alpine - he spent two years with the team when it was formerly known as Renault - and also Haas.

Via a video on his social media accounts, Ricciardo is emotional and devastated in confirming his departure from McLaren.

"I've got some news," began the 33-year-old. "It's bittersweet but I think it's best that you hear it from me - 2022 will be my last year with McLaren.

"Obviously, we've put in a lot of effort on both sides but it just hasn't worked the way that we had wanted so the team has decided to make a change for next year.

"We had a lot of discussions but in the end, we agreed that it was the right thing for both of us. I will continue to do the rest of the year, absolutely, and I will continue to give it my all, so that's that.

"For the future, what lies ahead, I'm not sure yet but we'll see. I look back on this time at McLaren with a smile. I learnt a lot about myself, I think things that will help me for the next step of my career but just in general and in life.

"I think from a results point of view, to consistently get the results and that form I was after, it wasn't always there and it made some weekends tough. I felt those, absolutely."

Referring to his victory in last year's Italian Grand Prix, Ricciardo continued: "But I also have many happy memories of my time at the team.

"I think about Monza, I think about standing on the top step, I think about bringing the team their first win since 2012. That sort of stuff was awesome.

"And to see the smile on everyone's faces, to just being in that moment, that's something I'll never forget, so there's a lot of good stuff to take from this as well."

As to his uncertain future, a defiant Ricciardo added: "The sport, I still love it. This hasn't affected any of that.

"I still have that fire in me, that belief in my belly that I can do this at the highest level, so all that stuff's still there.

"I just want to say that I appreciate everyone's support through the highs, lows, everything in between.

"This isn't it for me, we'll see what lies ahead."

You can watch his video here...

pic.twitter.com/ZrPvJy7tB5

— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) August 24, 2022