Daniel Ricciardo is reportedly seeking a massive eight-figure sum in order to end his contract early with McLaren.
Speedcafe.com reports that Ricciardo is looking for a $21 million pay-out to walk away from the Woking-based squad at the end of the 2022 campaign.
Ricciardo joined McLaren last year on a three-season deal, however the Australian driver has consistently underperformed alongside team-mate Lando Norris.
It is understood that McLaren is keen to bring reigning Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri to the team next year, after the 21-year-old denied that he had signed a deal with Alpine.
READ MORE: Insight: Dissecting the Alpine mess, and what could happen next
A spot opened up at Alpine following Fernando Alonso’s shock announcement that he would join Aston Martin in 2023.
It was initially expected that Piastri would take the seat beside Esteban Ocon, before the Australian asserted that he wouldn’t compete for Alpine next year.
All options to end the McLaren contract early are believed to rest with Ricciardo’s camp – however he has declared multiple times that he is committed to see out his contract.
But it is understood that Andreas Seidl personally informed Ricciardo of its intention to bring Piastri to the team next year in his place.
Speedcafe.com also reports that it is likely that should Ricciardo sign a deal elsewhere on the grid in 2023, he would have to refund McLaren the same figure salary he agrees to with another team.
Ricciardo has been linked with a return to Alpine, after he competed for the team for two seasons in 2019 and 2020 when it ran under the Renault name.
McLaren will also reportedly be responsible for any legal costs involving Piastri and bringing him to the team.
Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer stated on Monday evening that it is likely that the case will go to the High Court for settlement.
Should this occur, it would be a messy commencement to Piastri’s F1 career, despite the Australian being a highly rated and well sought-after driver.
You mean he’s got to pay McLaren $21,000,000 for not scoring enough points for the last two seasons?
No, Mclaren have to pay have for going back on the contract agreed.
Wait — not only did crooked Zak Brown tell yet another whopper of a lie only a few weeks back when saying Ricciardo won’t be leaving McLaren, but now broke AF and slowly dying McLaren (all because of fraudster Brown) are going to pay him $21 million to leave? Or is this just another part of Brown’s money laundering setup at McLaren where Ricciardo actually shares some of his $21 million with Brown?
What has a person’s background got to do with you? You may not like Zak Brown for his decisions but his background and religion are not for anyone to comment on.
It is absolutely mind boggling how McLaren went from being a group of thriving businesses under the control of Ron Dennis, to being broke and losing most of their assets in just a few short years under Zak Brown, who would seem to be richer than ever. Why is no one touching this subject and digging into what is really going on there, because it’s obviously something very questionable. There is simply no logical reason other than blackmail or a money siphoning scheme as to why the McLaren board would keep a person in charge of the entire organization who is so reckless with finances and overall bad at their job. None whatsoever.
Riccardo hasn’t delivered the goods and I doubt very much if he will whoever he drives for next. Personally, I think it is a shame as this guy was good and for some reason has now totally lost his mojo.
As for 21 million, he must be having a laugh., personally I would sack him and let him claim SSP and see where we go from there
Stupid? Brown is Jewish and a fraudster, you are a moron, and I’m not Christian.
And BTW Ricciardo is a huge NASCAR fan. Look up why he uses the number 3.
McLaren is trash! Car is trash! Zak is trash! Lando is trash! Terrible people!
Riccardo needs out! No good human can, or would have any motivation to perform on a daily basis for terrible people. Piastri will fit right in amongst the terrible people crowd!
McLaren will do nothing well going forward!