Vettel points to McLaren on Ricciardo departure: 'It's sad to see'

McLaren came out on Wednesday with the news that Daniel Ricciardo will be leaving the team at the end of the season. The Australian failed to meet the high expectations from the beginning of 2021 and must therefore make way. Sebastian Vettel believes that part of the responsibility lies with McLaren itself, he told Crash.net.

The German, who is in his final year in Formula 1, does not understand why Ricciardo is not performing at McLaren. Vettel was close to him years ago and knows better than anyone how much talent Ricciardo has.

"I think he’s still one of the best drivers I raced against," Vettel stated. "I had the pleasure of racing against him and the not-so-pleasurable side of getting beaten by him years ago, and I think he still has very much [a lot] to offer."

"I think in this regard, I don’t know the details, but I guess McLaren failed to extract the potential that he has. It’s sad to see that he’s been put in a difficult position, but I wish him all the best, and I’m sure that the talent he has and the qualities he has will shine through."

Collaboration between Piastri and Alpine seems a matter of time

Piastri, meanwhile, seems to have the best chance of filling Ricciardo's vacant place at McLaren. Both parties have reportedly already reached an agreement in principle, although it remains to be seen how things play out between the driver and Alpine.