According to fresh development, McLaren's driver Daniel Ricciardo might take a year off in 2023 to join a reserve driver role at Mercedes. Reports have further stated that Ricciardo is playing his bet at Alpine but if the offer does not pan out well, he could take a year off to join Mercedes as a test driver for 2023 season.
F1 journalist Joe Savard recently claimed that Ricciardo is experiencing tough time with McLaren which has severely impacted his performance on track. In his blog, Savard stated that Ricciardo is a perfect example of the driver with immense ability and potential but does not fit in his team.
"The latest word is that Daniel might take a year off in 2023 if he is not offered the Alpine drive. I hear he has been talking to Mercedes about such a role, which would put him in with a chance of a race drive in the future Lewis Hamilton decides that he has had enough," Savard wrote in his blog.
The renowned F1 journalist also commented over the future possibilities at Mercedes by mentioning the name of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is currently performing exceptionally well at Formula 4.
"While Mercedes has George Russell in place, it is waiting for the next big thing. This appears to be a 16-year-old youngster called Andrea Kimi Antonelli. He is at least three or four years away from F1, so there is likely to be a gap between Hamilton’s departure and Antonelli’s arrival," concluded Joe Sarvard.