Haas didn't want to take a risk with Ricciardo: 'Hasn't performed well'

Mick Schumacher will be replaced by Nico Hulkenberg in 2023. Daniel Ricciardo was also on Haas' radar, but talks between the two sides came to nothing. Guenther Steiner says it would have been too big a risk to take on the Australian.

Ricciardo will no longer be on the grid with a full-time seat in 2023. After two disappointing seasons at McLaren, the team has decided to replace the Australian with compatriot Oscar Piastri. Although several seats became available at Alpine, Aston Martin, Williams and also Haas, Ricciardo has not signed a new contract. The 33-year-old driver is now being linked with a role as a reserve driver at Red Bull Racing in 2023.

Haas has made the decision to replace Schumacher next season. Hulkenberg will become Kevin Magnussen's new teammate. Ricciardo was also an option, although Steiner had his doubts about the McLaren driver. "Daniel has not performed well, otherwise he would still be driving for McLaren. You can't ignore that. When you take a driver like that, you again take the risk whether you can bring him back to his old level or not", the team boss says opposite Formule1.nl

Steiner thinks Ricciardo is a good driver, but he, therefore, does not understand why his form has deteriorated so much. At Red Bull, the Australian won several races, but since his arrival at McLaren, things have only worsened. Ricciardo hopes to return to Formula 1 in 2024 with a full-time seat.