Daniel Ricciardo won’t get ‘another chance’ in F1, claims Ralf Schumacher
Ralf Schumacher has commented on the ongoing situation surrounding Daniel Ricciardo and stated that he does not believe in the Australian’s future in Formula 1.
Schumacher – a six-time F1 Grand Prix winner and brother of seven-time world champion Michael – shared his thoughts on the chaotic McLaren Alpine contract saga during an interview on Sky F1 in Germany.
According to various reports, Ricciardo will be replaced at McLaren by fellow Australian Oscar Piastri.
With one year left on his contract, the 33-year-old will now be looking for a new team on the F1 grid, with Alpine seen as the most likely option.
According to Schumacher, however, there may not be any free space left for Ricciardo in 2023.
Who else could fill the vacant seat at Alpine, the German former racer has supported his nephew and current Haas driver Mick.
“The names are in every cockpit. mick [Schumacher] hasn’t signed a contract yet. So he would be a candidate. A candidate with speed, as you can see,” Schumacher told Sky F1.
“Nico Hülkenberg is also still in the starting blocks.
“And then there is the question of Daniel Ricciardo.
“Personally, I can’t imagine that he’ll get another chance in Formula 1. But at the moment I don’t know who Alpine should take.”
Schumacher also believes Piastri won’t be driving for Alpine next season, despite spending that year as the team’s reserve rider and having previously been part of their academy.
In a chaotic start to the F1 summer break, veteran driver Fernando Alonso announced his move to Aston Martin, opening the door for Piastri to drive for Renault’s own team in 2023.
Alpine then issued a media release confirming the young Australian’s signing, only for Piastri to openly deny the deal hours later.
Schumacher has put his support behind the 21-year-old, arguing he has done nothing wrong in the recent saga.
“The morale is totally out of place. I’m sorry,” he said.
“I like Ottmar [Szafnauer] (the Alpine F1 Team Principal) but himself is disappointed with his own performance, not seeing Alonso coming and not having a plan B.
“That’s the embarrassing part of it all. Accordingly, it is his own fault. Oscar did nothing wrong.”
“Eventually, [Alpine] could have interviewed Alonso earlier and told Piastri that they would count on him in the future.
“He won Formula 3 and Formula 2 in his first year. What should he wait for?
“I would have done the same if I had received an offer. And McLaren is certainly a top team.”
F1 returns from summer break later this month, with the Belgian Grand Prix taking place on August 26-28.