Daniel Ricciardo is confident that he still has time to prove himself as he fights to stay on the F1 grid next year. He’s 2-8 in Grand Prix qualifying this year against Yuki Tsunoda, and he’s ten points and two places behind the Japanese in the Drivers’ Championship at present.
On Wednesday, comments were published by an Austrian outlet as Helmut Marko suggested Liam Lawson could get the drive next year.
“The shareholders have made it clear that this is a junior team and we have to act accordingly.
“The aim was that he would be considered for Red Bull Racing with exceptional performances. That seat now belongs to Sergio Perez, so that plan is no longer valid.
“That would be Liam Lawson.”
It was a topic that came up in the Australian’s written media session on Thursday afternoon. The 8-time Grand Prix winner is fully aware keeping up his performances in the last couple of races is key.
“So I’ve become really good at not reading thing. So I actually didn’t know about it until I was told when I got here.
“But look, I don’t feel one way or another about it. I still know that the overriding thing in this sport is performance, like that’s it, and that’s what will give me my best chance of staying here, I know that.
“It’s not going to be my smile or anything else, it’s the on-track stuff.
“So I’ve obviously got a good opportunity, obviously I say until the summer break, I don’t think that’s a deadline, but obviously that’s what you look at for the first half of the season.
“So yeah, try to do what I can and obviously help my cause.”
Although Ricciardo was only P15 in the Spanish Grand Prix last Sunday, he did well to beat a Sauber and Haas who comfortably outqualified the RB cars with their lead drivers in Barcelona.
With four more Grands Prix to come before the summer break, the 34-year-old is looking to keep up the momentum. He finished P8 in Canada following a superb run to 5th in qualifying the previous day, less than 0.2s off pole.
“I look back at Barcelona and it’s hard to get excited about a 15th, but I actually was really happy with my race, so I would say it’s at least now two better weekends in a row, I think that’s what I’ve certainly had trouble doing this year, is having a kind of string of good results.
“Two is still not enough of course, at least for where I want to be, but now we have two more ahead, so I definitely have a chance to get into the summer break with some momentum.
“And on the Helmut stuff, yeah, honestly it’s fine, it doesn’t change, let’s say, what I’m going to do.”
The contender for his seat, Liam Lawson, will be doing some running in a TPC test at Imola next month.
Ricciardo is not concerned about it, focusing on getting the best out of himself instead, hoping to make Helmut Marko smile in the process as he looks to impress the Austrian.
“No, also I believe it’s been planned for a while, but in any case it’s one of those ones where I think also the older you get, you understand that control the controllables.If Liam goes and has an amazing test, 100% good for Liam, I’ve got no control over that, or do I wish him poorly? Not at all.
“I think currently I’m in the race seat, so I’ve got to do everything I can to control the things I can.
“And if I kick arse here, if I kick arse in Silverstone, then I think the narrative can change. So it’s just, I think that’s where I obviously have to own that and be on top of what I can do.
“And yeah I’m sure the qualifying fifth in Montreal made Helmut smile. If I can do that a few more times I’m sure I’ll make him smile.
“So it’s just, it’s still so heavily on performance, and yeah, just keep focused on that.”
Ricciardo also confirmed his intention is to stay within the Red Bull family for the rest of his F1 career, and he even appreciates the kicks up the butt from Marko.
“I mean, I don’t know, but I’m not to be stubborn or arrogant about it, but I’m not looking anywhere else, I’ve said it, I really do enjoy being back in the family.
“I weirdly do enjoy sometimes a little bit of pokes from Helmut, because I think it’s also, can also be a way to get me a little bit fired up and try to get the best out of me.
“So yeah, in short, no.”
Finally, the driver from Perth confirmed that he has the continued support and backing of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and RB F1 boss Laurent Mekies as he looks to improve his qualifying form in particular. No ultimatums or deadlines have been set.
“No, like, I haven’t heard anything where […] there hasn’t been any pressure, ultimatum, nothing like that.
“But I’m also [aware], I’ve been in the sport a long time, I know if I get my ass kicked every weekend, at some point, someone will be like, ‘hey mate, step it up’, otherwise [you’re out]. But I haven’t had that.
“But as I said, I’m aware that having a good race every so often isn’t good enough, but also not where I want to be. I don’t want to have an odd high and then a bunch of lows.
“So yeah, I think I’ve had good support from, obviously, you mentioned Christian, but from Laurent, from everyone.
“So yeah, they’re doing what they can, obviously. But then at some point, I’m the one in the car, and I’ve got to push that right throttle a bit harder. And yeah, that’s that.”
