Daniel Ricciardo was close to joining McLaren in 2018, prior to the team’s significant performance resurgence. The Australian driver had held discussions with McLaren before ultimately opting to sign with Renault for the 2019 season. McLaren CEO Zak Brown confirmed at the time that the team was ‘pretty close’ to securing Ricciardo’s signature.
McLaren had actively pursued Ricciardo, who was considering his options while at Red Bull. Despite a reported offer of $20 million per year from McLaren, Ricciardo chose Renault, believing it offered a better path forward.
The Woking-based outfit was undergoing a restructuring phase in 2018, with Andreas Seidl and James Key not yet in their key roles. This period saw McLaren powered by Renault, and the team was not performing at the level it would achieve in subsequent seasons.
McLaren’s performance improved considerably in the 2020 season, where they finished third in the Constructors’ Championship. This marked a significant step in their recovery, demonstrating a return to competitiveness.
Ricciardo eventually joined McLaren for the 2021 Formula 1 season on a multi-year deal, partnering Lando Norris. He openly stated his three-year contract aimed at contending for a championship.
During his tenure with McLaren, Ricciardo secured a memorable victory at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, leading a one-two finish for the team. This was a significant highlight for McLaren during that period.
However, Ricciardo’s overall performance at McLaren did not meet expectations, leading to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract early at the end of the 2022 season. He was replaced by Oscar Piastri.
Following his departure from McLaren, Ricciardo served as a reserve driver for Red Bull before returning to the grid with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in 2023.
Daniel Ricciardo retired from Formula 1 at the conclusion of the 2024 season, after competing in 257 Grand Prix races. He has since taken on an ambassadorial role with Ford Racing.
Ricciardo has indicated that while he is currently enjoying life away from competitive racing, he has not entirely ruled out a future return to motorsport in some capacity, focusing on the ‘fun aspect’.
