Daniel Ricciardo has spoken once again about his future ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix as rumours swirl that Liam Lawson will be in the RB car in Austin, or the Kiwi will take the drive from the Australian for next year.
The biggest name to mention the swap for Austin was Ralf Schumacher, the 6-time Grand Prix winner mentioned it on Sky Germany yesterday.
It is believed that the 22-year-old has a clause in his contract where he is free to speak to other teams if he is not guaranteed a seat in the Red Bull family in 2025 by the end of this month.
“It’s not a rumor anymore, well, it’s not officially confirmed yet, but in Formula 1, you hear things when chatting around the coffee machine,” said Schumacher.
“Unfortunately, it seems like this will be Daniel Ricciardo’s last race in Singapore, and after that, Liam Lawson will take over. This was apparently part of the contract, as they would have lost him otherwise.
“And especially now, after what happened this weekend, I think it’s clear that Visa CashApp RB is a junior team, which the management has always emphasised. They’ve reiterated that they will focus on young drivers from their own development programs, so it makes sense.
“It’s a shame for Daniel, though, because we’re losing a driver who is incredibly likeable, always smiling, and someone you enjoy meeting in the paddock.”
Ricciardo, who has taken 8 wins in his career, said he expects a decision on 2025 to be made after this weekend’s event on who will partner Yuki Tsunoda next season.
Nonetheless, the driver from Perth is aware of how quickly things can change.
“I mean, let’s say my first expectation is about next year. So that’s, let’s say, where I am at at the moment.
“I say where I’m at because I can’t give too many details. But in terms of contract, yeah, our dates pretty much come into this window now. So basically, I do expect a yes or a no for 2025.
“And then, yeah, I know there’s obviously some talk and speculation about the rest of the season. But that for me at the moment, I’m unaware of. So the decision I expect is for next year.
“But obviously, crazy things have happened in the sport. So I’m also not going to stand here too voiceful and confident [about Austin]. But oh, yeah, I believe I will be.”
Reflecting on his season so far, the former Red Bull, Renault and McLaren driver conceded he has lacked consistency this year.
The Australian really struggled at the start of the year in qualifying, trailing Yuki Tsunoda 1-7 at one stage, although things have improved on that front a bit since (6-11).
Ricciardo’s race performances have generally been strong, with his points scoring races all standing out.
“I mean, I don’t wish to be in the middle, for sure. But look, obviously, I look back at my year.
“And yes, if you ask me in January, how do you think the year is going to go? I would have said, yeah, I expect it to have gone better than this. But it’s not through lack of anything, really. I’ve really felt like I’ve put everything into it this year.
“And, OK, sometimes the result doesn’t come out the way you wish or hope or doesn’t always translate to maybe the effort you put in. But that’s sport.
“So, yeah, look, you can always argue both ways. It’s like anything. You’re going to have fans and people that see the good, but you’re going to have others as well who see, oh, well, but it wasn’t consistent enough or this or that.
“So, yeah, look, I’m always going to look myself in the mirror and try to be as critical of myself as possible. And I wish I’d found some more consistency this year.
“But, honestly, getting back into the sport after, let’s say, the McLaren period, I was more just looking for speed and, yeah, like proving to myself that I could still run at the front with these guys. And there has been moments of that.
“Obviously, I wish I could produce it every weekend. But if I take a little bit of heat away from myself, I think it’s also hard to do in a midfield battle.
“Every track kind of suits one or the other, and it’s hard to shine when you’re in such a tight fight. So that’s where I think all of us drivers have moments this year.
“But it’s been hard for someone to be consistently, at least in the midfield battle, to consistently be the guy, at least from what I’ve seen.
“So, yeah, it’s tricky. But if I’ve made it hard on them or not, at the end of the day, they’re going to make the decision.
“At least I’ll put in everything I can and not feel like, ‘oh, I could have done more there’. I feel like I’ve applied myself, so then the rest is in their hands.”
Asked if he would be given a farewell tour at the first of the two triple-headers before Lawson potentially took his seat, Ricciardo reiterated he does not know what will happen.
“I appreciate it, I appreciate it.
“But, honestly, I don’t know. I really don’t know what’s going to happen.
“I think all this stuff, like what’s crazy about the sport is… And this is me now just kind of talking for the shit, but I go and get a podium this weekend and then I’m probably the hottest thing in the sport.
“So that’s the merry-go-round we’re on and I know it can change so quickly. I’m aware that things are hotting up, so to speak, but I just have to try and get my head down this weekend and, yeah, big smiles.”
Despite winning the 2021 Italian Grand Prix during his two-year spell at McLaren, Ricciardo’s period at the Woking-based squad was tough on him mentally. He was well beaten by Lando Norris as the man from Perth could not adapt to the McLaren packages.
The 35-year-old returned in Hungary last year, and he found his love for the sport again, showing flashes of his old self in the process.
Nonetheless, he conceded that driving in the midfield is not what he is here for.
“I definitely have fallen back in love with the sport post-2022.
“So, yeah, I’ve enjoyed this season, even if I haven’t been stoked with every weekend that I’ve done.
“I’ve enjoyed going racing, I’ve enjoyed competition again and driving. So from that point of view, I still have a lot of love for the sport.
“But I also have to, I guess, yeah, remind myself, OK, why did I come back? It was to try and be at the front again. I enjoy it, but when you’re not in the points, for sure it’s less enjoyable.
“So I’m also 35, I’ve been at the front, I’ve experienced the champagne. So it’s like I just don’t want to hang on to something that might not ever come to fruition again. So, yeah, I’ve certainly had those conversations in my head.
“So, yeah, I wouldn’t say that I would jump at any opportunity next year, that’s not the case.”
