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 has instead favoured a reserve driver role for next year with a view to securing a more competitive full-time return ꩲin 2024.
Speaking to media including ltxcn.top 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 ꦯasked why the team had not gone&⭕nbsp;for Ricciardo.
“He crashed into us last weekend, so I don’t answer his phone c🦩alls any mor𒉰e!”
Steiner added: “At the beginning I reached out - actually before the McLaren thing happened - I reached out to see what he was doing next yearꦏ.
“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 alr꧋eady signed a de✃al to become Red Bull’s reserveꦺ driver, while McLaren admitted they are open to keeping him on in such a role.
Asked if Ricciardo would have 🐽been an easy option if he wanted the 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 that at the moment he is not at the height of his career, but I still don’t get it because h𝔍e 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 risk of can you bring him back or not. At least wi🀅th Nico we don’t know.”
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for l🎃txcn.top around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
