Formula One will be on a one-month break before returning to Austin for a much-anticipated showdown. However, some of the faces might not be seen again in Austin as new ones take over. Rumors of Daniel Ricciardo’s exit have been swirling all over the paddock. RB management has hinted that Liam Lawson will replace Ricciardo in the VCARB team.
Thus, the Australian racer’s F1 career might end, with the Singapore GP being his last race. However, according to an F1 pundit, the Red Bull team would need someone like Ricciardo after Sergio Perez’s retirement. This surprising revelation followed the Singapore GP, where Ricciardo appeared emotional, possibly facing the reality that it could be his final race in Formula 1.
Could Sergio Perez Revive Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 Career?
In the 2023 F1 season, Daniel Ricciardo rejoined Red Bull’s program, initially being placed in their junior team, VCARB (formerly AlphaTauri). His main objective was to eventually secure a return to the senior Red Bull Racing team, a position he left after the 2018 season. While that dream comeback seemed unlikely, recent rumors suggest it might not be completely off the table.
Allard Kalff has hinted that Sergio Perez, currently driving for Red Bull, could potentially retire from Formula 1 after the 2024 season. Perez, like Ricciardo, has faced growing speculation about his future in the sport, with rumors of a looming departure due to underperformance.
Kalff emphasized that, in light of these developments, Red Bull may need to keep Ricciardo as a serious option for the second seat alongside Max Verstappen. While young talents like Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda could be considered, Kalff believes that having an experienced driver like Ricciardo would be crucial for the team’s future lineup.
Christian Horner Suggests Ricciardo’s Future Hinges On “How Good Lawson Is”
As the F1 2024 season enters a month-long break before the action resumes in Austin, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hinted at a comprehensive evaluation of their driver lineup during this downtime. He mentioned that Daniel Ricciardo had been viewed as a reliable backup, or “banker,” in case things didn’t work out with Sergio Perez.
However, Ricciardo’s season hasn’t been smooth, despite moments of promise, such as his P4 finish in the Miami sprint race. His overall performance, with just 12 points compared to teammate Yuki Tsunoda’s 22, has left room for improvement.
Horner highlighted that while Ricciardo’s season has been decent, it hasn’t been exceptional. According to Horner, the key question now revolves around how talented Liam Lawson truly is. He acknowledged that sometimes difficult decisions need to be made to obtain those answers, and the upcoming break will give the team the time to weigh their options carefully.