Daniel Ricciardo 's departure from Formula 1 at the end of the season has nothing to do with unachievable demands or a lack of opportunity, according to the McLaren driver's manager. He therefore lashes out harshly at critics on Twitter.

In August, Ricciardo and McLaren mutually agreed to bring forward the end of their partnership by a year. The decision was taken after he failed to live up to his team's expectations. McLaren eventually chose Oscar Piastri as his replacement.

From the start, Ricciardo struggled at the Woking-based team. He rarely performed on par with teammate Lando Norris and struggled several times with getting a grip on his car. The strong driver duo combined with the 2022 rulebook changes and a redesign of the McLaren car created a lot of hope within the team, something that ultimately failed in the Australian's case.

Last summer's break-up made Ricciardo a free agent for 2023, but with no reasonable chance of continuing to race in F1 next season, the almost ex-McLaren driver is expected to take a break from motorsport's premier class or take on a role as a reserve driver. Several F1 teams are said to have already expressed interest.

Manager comments

Last weekend, Nick Thimm, Ricciardo's manager sent out several tweets on Twitter commenting on his protégé's situation and seemingly absolving him of any responsibility regarding his poor results over the past two seasons.

None of this is about ego, unachievable demands, or a sudden lack of opportunity. This is about a man who was dealt a bad hand, now finding the right next opportunity. Uncovering a new project where he can work with a team that embraces his unique set of skills. A project where

— Nick Thimm (@nick_thimm) October 8, 2022

"None of this is about ego, unachievable demands, or a sudden lack of opportunity", Thimm began on Twitter.

Daniel’s maturity and experience is a matched by few on the grid; now more than ever. The honey badger will still be as close to the F1 grid as he can in 2023. He's not done. And as we saw this season, anything can happen.

— Nick Thimm (@nick_thimm) October 8, 2022

"This is about a man who was dealt a bad hand, now finding the right next opportunity. Uncovering a new project where he can work with a team that embraces his unique set of skills." He continued that Ricciardo's maturity and experience is matched by few and promises that the 'Honey Badger' as Ricciardo's nickname goes, will still remain as close to the F1 grid as possible in 2023. "He’s not done. And as we saw this season, anything can happen."