A couple of weeks ago, Daniel Ricciardo was the front-runner for the Red Bull seat, as he was set to replace struggling Sergio Perez. However, the tables have turned now, and the Honey Badger is fighting to protect his VCARB seat from his trans-Tasmanian rival/teammate Liam Lawson. The RBR management is keen on trying out new talents, and Liam Lawson is one such name. Ricciardo might have to vacate his VCARB seat despite being an experienced racer.
Moreover, it is RBR tradition to swap racers mid-season. Since 2005, the team has switched multiple racers in the middle of a season for better results. Several racers, from Daniel Kvyat to Nyck de Vries, have shared a similar fate, as they failed to confirm their RB seats.
RB Management Tagged As “Disrespectful” Amid Perez-Ricciardo Conundrum
Australian publication Speedcafe has strongly criticized Red Bull for showing “disrespect” toward Daniel Ricciardo, one of their former academy drivers. According to an editorial, if Ricciardo does not return to Formula 1, his final race at the Singapore Grand Prix was far from a fitting farewell for a driver of his stature. The criticism comes after a lackluster performance from the V-CARB team in Singapore, where Yuki Tsunoda only managed P12, and Ricciardo, who was not set to score any points, was strategically used to prevent Lando Norris from securing the fastest lap. Ultimately, Ricciardo finished last in the race.
V-CARB team principal Laurent Mekies attempted to justify pitting Ricciardo for the fastest lap attempt, claiming it was a gesture to allow the Australian driver to savor what might be his final race. However, Mekies’ inability to confirm Ricciardo’s future with the team ahead of the upcoming race in Austin, Texas, highlights the uncertainty surrounding Ricciardo’s position and has been seen as further evidence of Red Bull’s dismissive treatment.
This sense of a silent farewell follows weeks of uncertainty for Ricciardo, who, within a short span, went from expecting to replace Sergio Pérez at Red Bull to facing the possibility of being abruptly ousted from his seat. The editorial emphasizes that although Formula 1 is a results-driven sport, with Red Bull having shown ruthlessness in the past, Ricciardo’s situation is particularly jarring given his contributions to the team and the sport. While some may argue that Ricciardo has struggled to adapt to the new ground-effect cars and, thus, Red Bull’s decision may be justified, the editorial also acknowledges that it wouldn’t be surprising if Red Bull decides to bench him in favor of Liam Lawson. Lawson could potentially benefit from the remaining six races, gaining valuable experience before his promotion to a full-time F1 driver role in 2025.
Ricciardo Expresses Emotions As As F1 Future Grows Gloomy
After the Singapore Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo expressed a deep sense of emotion, seemingly aware that this race could mark the end of his time in Formula 1. He conveyed feelings of exhaustion and reflection, indicating that he had become accustomed to life in the cockpit over many years. Ricciardo emphasized his desire to savor the moment, underscoring the significance of the race for him.
Despite the lack of official communication from Red Bull regarding his future, it was clear that he was grappling with the possibility of concluding his F1 career, which added to the emotional weight of the occasion.