July 13, 2022: Ricciardo's firm statement that he is "committed" to McLaren till the end of the 2023 season and "not walking away from the sport":
https://mobile.twitter.com/danielric...59313151655939
Aug 24, 2022: Ricciardo's video statement that he prematurely leaves McLaren at the end of this season:
https://mobile.twitter.com/danielric...44128629116928
Technically, his July 13 statement is still accurate: he was committed + planning to stay in F1. But the commitment has been renegotiated in the meantime (tenure abridged, undoubtedly with a bag of money and privileges as
quid pro quo) and he wants to stay in F1. Ricciardo had to move over for Piastri.
See also: "Analysis: Why McLaren and Ricciardo divorced – and what they will do next":
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...PImhmRHJb.html
Now imagine for a moment that Alpine would obtain a 'cease-and-desist order' prohibiting Piastri to drive for other F1 teams than Alpine in 2023 (further to contractual commitments). But maybe Alpine changes its mind: they can reel in Ricciardo for the 2023 season: The Return of The Prodigal Son.