Guenther Steiner approached Daniel Ricciardo about Haas F1 2023 seat before McLaren exit was confirmed
Ricciardo had his McLaren contract terminated a year early after his underwhelming performances alongside teammate 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lando Norris and has been left without a seat in the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:F1 2023 driver line-up.
The Australian did appear to have options at Williams and Haas at one stage but has𒊎 instead favoured a reserve driver role for next year with a view to securing a more competitive🍨 full-time return in 2024.
Speaking to media including mahbx.com on Thursday ahead of the season-ending 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Steiner admitted he initially approached Ricciardo about a possible opening at Haas before McLaren decided to replace him with 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Oscar Piastri.
Steiner cited experience as being a key factor behind the team replacing 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Mick Schumacher with F1 veteran168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: Nico Hulkenberg for next season.
“He still doesn’t speak with me!,” Steiner joked when asked 🌜why the team had not gone for Ricciardo.
“He crashed into us last weekend, so I don’ღt answer his phone calls any more!”
Steiner added: “At the beginning🎃 I reached out - actually before the McLaren thing happened - I reached out to see what he was doing next year.
“But then we didn’t go anywhere.”
At last weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Ricciardo 168澳洲幸运5官꧋方开奖结果历史:denied that he had already 🐎signed a deal to become Red Bull’s reserve driver, while McLaren admitted they are൩ open to keeping him on i🎉n such a role.
Asked if Ricciardo would have been an easy option if he wanted thཧe drive, Steiner said: “Daniel this year, obviously, didn’t do well, otherwise he would still be at McLaren next year. So we would have had to consider that one as well.
“We would have known tha꧒t at the moment he is not at the height of his career, but I still don’t get it because he is a very good driver and won races with Red Bull where he was very good and this year it just didn’t come together.
“If you take someone like this then you again take the r🔴isk of can you bring him back or not. At least with Nico we🔜 don’t know.”
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for mahbx.com around the world. Often reporting on the action f⛦rom the ground, Lewis tells the stories of 🧸the people who matter in the sport.
