Sebastian Vettel’s departure from Ferrari’s Formula 1 team has sparked the driver’s market in Formula 1. McLaren now announces that Daniel Ricciardo will be driving for her F1 team from next year. That probably also means that Carlos Sainz is moving from McLaren to Ferrari.
After two years, Carlos Sainz says goodbye to McLaren and his place is filled by Daniel Ricciardo. The former Max Verstappen teammate in turn leaves Renault’s Formula 1 team after two years. From 2021, Ricciardo and British driver Lando Norris thus form the McLaren driver duo. For 30-year-old Ricciardo, it is an extra remarkable move, as he indicated that he wanted to grow to great heights together with Renault during his controversial switch from Red Bull Racing to Renault. However, that has turned out to be a utopia to date. The disappointing shape of Renault probably plays a role in the choice to look further now.
The fact that the seven-time GP winner takes over the seat from Carlos Sainz probably also means that Sainz will be the one who will replace Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari. Where Vettel is going is not yet known. It is also not yet clear who will succeed Ricciardo at Renault. In the corridors, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is mentioned. He became champion with Renault and has alluded to a return since leaving F1 (late 2018).
Update 11:45: Carlos Sainz has been confirmed with Ferrari.