Ricciardo’s long-term future in the Woking team has been called into question after Brown commented last week that the Australian driver’s results had not lived up to expectations.
Ricciardo admitted that his time on the team had not yielded the results he or his bosses would have wanted, but made it clear to Monaco that he was committed for the full three years of his contract, which will end at the end of 2023.
Speaking before a visit to the Indianapolis 500 Miles, however, Brown suggested that McLaren’s deal with Ricciardo was not completely waterproof.
Because while Ricciardo was in the middle of a three-year contract, he suggested that there were break-even clauses that could open the door to separation if things don’t get better.
Asked if there was a termination clause for the driver or team if they did not want to continue until 2023, Brown said: “I do not want to enter into the contract, but there are mechanisms in which we are committed. others and mechanisms in which we are not.
“I talked to Daniel about it. We’re not getting the results we both hoped for, but we’re both going to keep working.
“I think he showed up at Monza [last year] you can win races. We also need to develop our race car; he is not able to win races. But we would like to see it above the grid.
“It simply came to our notice then. And then we’ve increased our testing schedule, but we’re in no hurry. “
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, Grilled
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Ricciardo’s future beyond 2023 had already seemed to depend on the progress of McLaren’s IndyCar youth, as Pato O’Ward had been singled out as one of the main contenders if the team felt confident enough to opt for a rookie. .
It could be considered too soon an attack for the Mexican to replace Ricciardo for 2022, although the Mexican is ready for more F1 by the end of this season.
“We have our two test pilots under contract,” Brown said. “Pato will definitely be one of them. He did a very good job in Abu Dhabi [young driver test] last year.
“IndyCar’s schedule is very busy, as you know, but at the end of the year you won’t be surprised to see it in one of these cars.”
O’Ward thought he had two or three more years to get into F1 before he felt he would be too old to make the switch.
“I think the deadline is there for age,” he said. “Once you are 25 or 26 years old, this window closes a lot. So, obviously, if this opportunity arises, take advantage of it, right?
“My dream of becoming a racing driver came from Formula One. This is something that will never come out. It’s a part of me. That’s what opened my heart to such a different world. “
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