McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo still has an excellent chance to remain in Formula 1 after he leaves the British side at the end of this season.
This is according to figures given to Formula1News.co.uk by OLGB, who also suggest that he could turn to broadcasting as his next role.
Ricciardo joined McLaren at the beginning of last season to replace Carlos Sainz, after the Spaniard went to Ferrari following Sebastian Vettel’s departure for Aston Martin.
The Australian was expected to score podiums and wins alongside team-mate Lando Norris, but the car has never worked with him, and things have not turned out as he had hoped.
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The 33-year-old has scored points 17 times, and has been out-qualified 27 times in 36 races by Norris, who has continued to excel.
The 22-year-old has been on the podium five times during the pair’s time together and, while Ricciardo has managed just the one, that one was a victory at last year’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
It was the side’s first win since Jenson Button’s victory at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, while Norris came home second to secure their first one-two since 2010, when Sir Lewis Hamilton led Button home in Canada.
Asides from that though, it has been a tough period for the eight-time race winner, and his inconsistencies this season led to doubts around his future.
Both he and the Woking-based side assured that he would be seeing out the remainder of his contract, which expires at the end of next year, but Oscar Piastri is thought to have agreed a deal with McLaren for 2023.
By mutual consent, Ricciardo’s contract will be cut short at the end of this season, leaving him, at the moment, without a drive heading into next year.
The Aussie was initially tipped to return to Alpine alongside Esteban Ocon, but they now seem set on signing Pierre Gasly from AlphaTauri, while seats at Haas and Williams are also set to become available at the end of this year.
Mick Schumacher and Nicholas Latifi do not have deals for next season yet, and there is uncertainty as to where they will end up.
However, OLGB give him a very good chance of remaining in the pinnacle of motorsport as a driver next season.
“Daniel Ricciardo is as short as 2/5 [71.4 percent chance] to remain in Formula 1 next year despite not yet having a confirmed drive after his departure from McLaren was announced,” said sports betting expert, Jake Ashton.
READ: Daniel Ricciardo likely to be forced to retire following Alpine development
The 32-time podium finisher is 4/1 to head to America to compete in IndyCar, and 5/1 to race in the all-electric series, Formula E.
OLGB have also linked him to a broadcasting role with Sky Sports and Fox, but the odds are more against him in that arena, at 20/1 and 28/1, respectively.
They cite his “fantastic personality” as a pull factor for either of those roles.