The Haas Formula 1 team is understood to have made contact with Daniel Ricciardo over his availability for the 2023 season after his departure from McLaren.
According to reports, Haas team principal Gunther Steiner called Ricciardo before last month’s Hungarian Grand Prix – the final race before F1’s summer break.
Ricciardo’s future had been a major talking point in recent months due to his ongoing struggles since joining McLaren last year.
The Australian has scored just 19 of McLaren’s 95 point-haul in the first half of the season, with Lando Norris consistently outperforming his more experienced team-mate.
Earlier in the year, Ricciardo issued a statement reaffirming his commitment to McLaren, despite speculation the team was considering ousting him before his contract runs out at the end of next year.
But while McLaren insisted it was committed to helping Ricciardo overcome his difficult run of form, both parties have now mutually agreed to split at the end of this season.
McLaren revealed it would confirm its full driver line-up for next year in due course, with the team expected to turn to Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri as Ricciardo’s replacement.
The situation has been complicated due to Piastri being announced as an Alpine driver, which was followed by the 2020 F2 champion denying he would race for the team.
Haas has one seat sown up as Kevin Magnussen is on a multi-year deal, but Mick Schumacher’s future is unclear with his contract expiring at the end of the year.
Steiner is not in a rush to begin negotiations with Schumacher over a new deal, which is where Ricciardo could come in a potential replacement.
Alpine is also considered as another option for the eight-time grand prix winner having previously driven for the Enstone-based squad for two seasons.
Now the running saga has been addressed prior to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, attention will turn to Ricciardo plans for 2023 as he aims to end his difficult stint at McLaren on a high.
