Daniel Ricciardo is overheard giving HUGE clue to his future as fans lash out at ‘disgusting’ label

Daniel Ricciardo had a miserable night at the Dutch Grand Prix on the weekend, but a piece of footage may give a clue to what the Aussie F1 driver plans to do next year now that McLaren have axed him.

The Aussie recorded one of his worst results of the season, finishing 17th after qualifying in 18th spot, but it was a pre-race clip of him that got all the attention.

Ricciardo was recorded talking to Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and appeared to mention the prospect of taking a year away from F1 before returning to the sport in 2024. 

The Aussie veteran recorded one of his worst results of the season at the Dutch GP, finishing 17th in a race won by Max Verstappen

The discussion isn’t clearly discernable, but the 33-year-old veteran can be heard saying, ‘Take year off and come back in 2024’.

There has been widespread speculation that Ricciardo could find it difficult to get a drive with a top team next season and may not want to race for a back marker like Williams.

Before the Belgian Grand Prix he hinted at the possibility of taking a year off if the jobs on offer weren’t to his liking, saying: ‘If the stars don’t align and it doesn’t make perfect sense and I need to take time to re-evaluate, then that’s what I need to do.’ 

That wasn’t the only piece of pre-race trackside footage that had F1 fans talking.

A graphic during a TV segment read ‘struggling again’ under Ricciardo’s name after he qualified for the race in 18th position. 

Pre-race TV footage broadcast a graphic reading ‘Struggling again’ under Ricciardo’s name. Many fans feel that this is a low blow and have criticised the way the Aussie has been treated

The labels assigned to other drivers were more simple and complimentary, leading some Ricciardo fans to brand the graphic ‘disgusting’ and bordering on ‘harassment’. 

One fan wrote on Twitter: ‘Clearly degrading and disregarding his efforts. Whoever did this must be a McLaren fan for sure.’

Another commented: ‘Interesting to see F1 always claiming to be against toxic behaviour and harassement, just to be a prime example of toxicity when Ricciardo is ‘struggling again’

A third said:  ‘This is so disgusting.. it’s not even a typo. Clearly degrading and disregarding his efforts. Whoever did this must be a McLaren fan for sure.’

Daniel Ricciardo will be replaced by Aussie debutant Oscar Piastri at McLaren next year and is yet to reveal his future plans

This week, F1 travels back to Monza where Ricciardo tasted victory for McLaren in 2021.

‘I’ll try to bring back last year’s magic,’ Ricciardo said after the Dutch GP. 

The veteran will be replaced by Aussie F1 debutant Oscar Piastri at McLaren next year and is yet to reveal his future plans.