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Daniel Ricciardo ‘is seeking a $30MILLION payout from McLaren’ after Formula One team informed under-fire veteran of their desire to replace him with fellow Australian Oscar Piastri
- Daniel Ricciardo is reportedly seeking a $30million payout to leave McLaren
- The F1 team are understood to be looking to replace the veteran Australian
- However, with a year left on his contract, Ricciardo will seek a big payout
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Daniel Ricciardo has demanded $30million to quit McLaren as negotiations over the termination of his contract begin, according to reports.
The Formula One team are understood to be looking to shift the under-performing Australian after a dismal season and replace him with fellow countryman and future star Oscar Piastri.
However, Ricciardo is contracted with McLaren until 2023, with his deal said to be worth $19m a season and therefore team boss Zak Brown must pay the 33-year-old to leave the team.
Daniel Ricciardo will reportedly seek a $30million payout if he is to leave McLaren this year
And according to speedcafe, his initial asking price has been set at USD$21m (AUD$$30m), although that is expected to be reduced as the two parties haggle over the termination fee.
The same outlet reports that McLaren will receive a refund of any salary component to his severance package in the event that he secures a drive elsewhere on the grid.
That means if, for example, he pockets $10m to drive for Alpine in 2023, Ricciardo would be forced to refund McLaren $10m of whatever he receives upon his departure.
The latest development comes after Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer revealed he will seek financial compensation from young Aussie driver Piastri after he walked out on the manufacturer.
Ricciardo has failed to deliver this season and McLaren reportedly want to move him on
However, the Australian has set a high price tag if Zak Brown wants to terminate his deal
‘I expected more loyalty from Piastri,’ he said.
‘We have a contract with Piastri, which he signed in November, we have spoken to our lawyers and they have told us that this is a binding contract, so part of that contract allows us to put Oscar in one of our cars in 2023.
‘We have to take into account that last year we put him in a single-seater and he did 3,500 kilometres,’ Szafnauer said.
‘We have done seven independent tests with him and this is not cheap at all. The cost of an engine alone is 1,750,000 euros. The mechanics, the team that managed those tests, the flights and travel …
Brown wants to replace Ricciardo with fellow Australian Oscar Piastri, according to reports
‘We have spent lots and lots of money on Piastri to prepare him for the future. And, if that future is not with us, it is logical and fair that we seek compensation.
While Ricciardo appears to be the best option for Alpine, Szafnauer said there were 14 drives that loom as potential replacements.
‘If Piastri is not in the car – which I think he is going to be – because Fernando is out, I have about 14 phone calls from drivers who are interested, because the Alpine seat is the most valuable seat left,’ he said.
‘There should be some loyalty to the fact that we have invested literally millions and millions of euros to prepare him. So I don’t understand it either, you should ask him.
‘I’ve never seen anything like this.’