Daniel Ricciardo is optimistic about getting a last shot to race with Max Verstappen before his Formula 1 career concludes. With just 10 races left in the season and no contract signed for 2025, Ricciardo’s window of opportunity is narrowing.
Ricciardo was once considered a potential replacement for Sergio Perez for the latter half of the 2024 season, as Perez’s performance had dipped significantly, impacting Red Bull’s championship chances. However, neither Ricciardo nor rookie reserve driver Liam Lawson are seen as definite improvements over an on-form Perez, leading Red Bull to retain its current driver lineup.
Talking to RacingNews365, Ricciardo candidly expressed his desire to race alongside Verstappen again. He stated, ‘Yeah. I’m not going to give a diplomatic answer. Of course, I would. I know I need to earn it. It’s not just going to be handed to me but if I earned it and the chance was there, of course, I’d love to do it. So we’ll see.’
Ricciardo’s chances largely depend on Perez’s performance after the summer break, with races at circuits where Perez has previously excelled, such as Baku and Singapore. While Ricciardo remains hopeful, he acknowledges the uncertainty of the situation. ‘Is any of it a reality? I would say no, until it is. But it can change,’ he noted.
Recently, VCARB CEO Peter Bayer shared that Ricciardo has eliminated distractions, including social media, to focus entirely on improving his performance. Ricciardo emphasized his commitment, saying, ‘I am fully motivated, I’m fully focused. I appreciate that I don’t know if I’ve got one year left, five years left, so I’m treating it like it is truly my last chance.’
Ricciardo is determined to make the most of his remaining time in F1, stating, ‘I don’t want to hang the helmet up and be like, damn, I should have spoken up when I should have, I should have done that differently. So I’m in a good place because I’m comfortable within myself and I’m comfortable with the approach I’m taking and going all in.’
As the season progresses, Ricciardo remains focused on his goal of racing alongside Max Verstappen once more. His dedication and determination are evident, but only time will tell if the opportunity will materialize.
