Daniel Ricciardo has reiterated his commitment to McLaren’s Formula 1 team amid a spate of rumours linking other drivers to his seat.
Ricciardo ended McLaren’s nine-year win drought in 2021 but has largely had a subdued 18-month spell with a team that he joined on a three-year contract.
He has scored only 17 points this year, with a best finish of sixth, while team-mate Lando Norris has amassed 64 points, including a podium result.
Writing on social media on Wednesday Ricciardo posted: “There have been a lot of rumours around my future in Formula 1, but I want you to hear it from me.
“I am committed to McLaren until the end of next year and am not walking away from the sport.
“Appreciate it hasn’t always been easy, but who wants easy! I’m working my ass off with the team to make improvements and get the car right and back to the front where it belongs. I still want this more than ever.”
McLaren this week handed a two-day test to IndyCar racer Colton Herta in its 2021-spec car and has also been recently linked to current Alpine reserve Oscar Piastri, who also provides back-up duties for the Woking-based squad.
Taking Piastri would be a big mistake. As soon as Alonso calls it a day he’d be off back to Alpine, and all that would have been achieved would have been to strengthen their rival team by giving its star prospect race experience. I think they should stick with Ricciardo, but if they feel they have to make a change it would be wiser to try and sign Schwartzman, who isn’t going to be getting any opportunities to race for Ferrari any time soon, and there’s probably the chance, should he fare well, to keep him until his Ferrari contract expires and then sign him up.