Ricciardo: 'Year at Haas is bigger risk than year on the sidelines'

Daniel Ricciardo would have politely declined the 2023 F1 seat at Haas F1, had he recieved the offer. The Australian further explains his decision to prefer to spend a year on the sidelines rather than drive for Haas next year.

Ricciardo out of F1

Ricciardo will be replaced by his young compatriot Oscar Piastri next year. That Ricciardo would not have a long career at McLaren became clear at the start of the 2022 F1 season. Ricciardo underperformed and could not compete against his teammate Lando Norris. McLaren, therefore, placed full bet on Piastri. Piastri's arrival was accompanied by a lot of noise. Not only because the young Australian was 'snatched' as a junior at Alpine, but also because McLaren did not actually have room for a new driver at all.

Ricciardo's outstanding contract was bought off, and with it, the eight-time race-winner was harshly sidelined. The F1 seats available at the time were quickly filled and now only Mick Schumacher's current spot at Haas F1 remains open. Although the team has said it would like to welcome Ricciardo as a driver for 2023, Ricciardo is said to pass for that opportunity. Speaking to The Telegraph the Australian further explains his choice.

"The hunger is really still there [to keep racing in F1], but I want to be swamped by it again. If I am active in Formula 1 next year and I experience a lesser year for whatever reason, then for my feeling it is really all done with me in this sport. That instinctively involves a greater risk than a year on the sidelines."