Rumors of Daniel Ricciardo’s impending exit from Formula 1 are likely greatly exaggerated, although the RB driver admits that he wouldn’t “bet my house” on such an outcome occurring.
While the Aussie acknowledged the speculation, he insists that he remains focused on securing his place for 2025 with the Red Bull family.
Helmut Marko recently stated that a decision on the second RB seat will be made during the upcoming autumn break.
However, the whisper in the paddock is that Red Bull has exercised its option on Kiwi Liam Lawson, add fuel to the rumors that Ricciardo’s are numbered, in the short term or in the mid-term.
But the eight-time Grand Prix winner expects clarity on his 2025 prospects before any decisions are made about this year.
“Let’s say my first expectation is about next year,” Ricciardo told the media in Singapore on Thursday. “So that’s, let’s say, where I’m at at the moment. It’s where I’m at.
“I can’t give too many details, in terms of contracts, yeah, our dates pretty much come into this window now. Basically I do expect a yes or a no for ’25.”
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Although aware of the lingering hearsay, Ricciardo remains focused on his immediate goals.
“I’m aware of some talk and speculation about the rest of the season. But that for me at the moment, I’m unaware of [any decision from Red Bull],” he said.
“The decision I expect is for next year. Obviously crazy things have happened in this sport.
“I’m also not going to stand here too boastful and confident and ‘oh yeah yeah’. Like, I believe I will be [on the grid], but let’s obviously see.”
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Ricciardo, who replaced Nyck de Vries midway through last season, understands the unpredictable nature of F1, particularly with Red Bull’s history of making abrupt driver changes.
When asked if he could be racing for the last time this weekend, he responded cautiously.
“I don’t think so, but I also don’t want to stand here and be the lawyer,” he said. “We know how this sport works. People have not seen through a season before. It’s nothing new in some ways.
“So I don’t want to also be, ‘oh, 100%, I’ll bet all my house on it’. I’ve been around too long.”
Again, while optimistic that strong performances can change the narrative surrounding his future, the 35-year-old F1 veteran isn’t ruling out the possibility of an early exit from RB if Red Bull decides to terminate his contract
“I really don’t know what’s going to happen,” he continued. “Look, I think, all this stuff, what’s crazy about the sport is, I go and get a podium this weekend, and I’m probably the hottest thing in the sport.
“So it’s just, that’s the kind of the merry-go-round we’re on. I know it can change 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. Yeah. Kick some arse!”
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As for a return to Red Bull Racing, if Sergio Perez loses his seat, Ricciardo says such a move is still within the realms of the possibilities.
“Honestly, so during the August break when they said, ‘look, there won’t be any changes, crack on for the second half, and yeah, obviously you treated the pre-summer break, those last two races, the way you did, treat the next handful the way you have’. It’s really that,” he commented.
“I also know looking at next year, it could also go, in the middle, being in the middle kind of thing, it could go one way, it could go another.
“That’s why I just keep my head down and see what happens. They have made me aware of it, things could be great, and things could look different. So see what happens.”
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