Daniel Ricciardo's '$25 million sacrifice' to get out of Renault
Details of Daniel Ricciardo’s reported new contract with McLaren have emerged, with the Australian F1 driver said to be taking an approximate $25 million paycut compared to his salary at Renault.
Ricciardo became one of F1’s most highly paid drivers when he left Red Bull for Renault at the end of the 2018 season, signing a lucrative contract worth €25 million per year - AU$40 million.
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The latest round of line-up changes shaw Ricciardo move to McLaren, after the departure of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel from Ferrari made room for Spanish driver Carlos Sainz Jr.
The 30-year-old will apparently have to accept a smaller paycheque from McLaren though - although it doesn’t come without perks.
French Formula 1 journalist Marc Limacher is reporting Ricciardo will be earning a base salary of €10 million - leaving him AU$25 million worse off compared to his generous salary at Renault.
For his troubles though, Ricciardo will race what is generally tipped to be a better car, as well has having guaranteed status as McLaren’s No.1 driver, mentoring second-year driver Lando Norris as his teammate.
The Australian driver also has a number of performance incentives written into his contract, with bonuses for race wins, podium finishes, and earning championship points.
Stunning new plans for Daniel Ricciardo's switch to Supercars
McLaren boss Zak Brown has made the stunning admission that he’s open to Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris competing at the Bathurst 1000.
Brown is part-owner of Walkinshaw Andretti United, who had a wildcard entry with IndyCar drivers Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe in the 2019 Bathurst 1000.
And the McLaren chief executive says he’d “love to see” something similar with Ricciardo and Norris.
Ricciardo and Norris have both had some experience driving a Supercar, and Brown says he’d be keen to get his drivers a start at Mount Panoroma should a wildcard spot be available.
“I think they’d both love to do it,” Brown said on Supercars Sidetracked.
“I think people now know I’m a little bit different than most of the team bosses in F1 as I like to see our drivers go out and give it a go at Daytona or Le Mans, things of that nature.
“I think it’ll just come down to schedule and whether they can fit it in the schedule.”
The Bathurst 1000 traditionally falls on the same weekend as the Japanese Grand Prix.
“That’s why I’m sometimes there, sometimes I’m not,” he said.
