Ricciardo became embroiled in F1’s mid-year silly season following reports .
he will be replaced by young compatriot Oscar Piastri at McLaren next year.
The news erupted last week after two-time world champion Fernando Alonso blindsided the F1 world
when he jumped into Sebastian Vettel’s vacated seat at Aston Martin for 2023.
Alpine then announced Piastri would be the man to replace Alonso, only for the Melburnian to reject the seat
a bold move for a man who is yet to drive in F1. Now Ricciardo, who has one year remaining on his contract,
has reportedly asked for a $21 million payout from McLaren for the early termination of his contract,
but this eight-figure payout could change if Ricciardo accepts an offer from another team.
If Piastri does indeed take his place at McLaren, Ricciardo’s most likely landing spot would be Alpine,
the French team formerly known as Renault where he spent two seasons in 2019 and 2020.
But Schumacher, the brother of seven-time world champion Michael, does not believe Ricciardo will return to Formula 1 next year.
“And then there is the question of Daniel Ricciardo,” he told Sky Sports Germany.
“Personally, I can‘t imagine him getting another chance in Formula 1.
But I wouldn’t know who Alpine should take at the moment.
“The names are there, with every cockpit.