Daniel Ricciardo is entering a critical phase in his Formula 1 career, facing two potential extremes.
- Ricciardo’s performance in the Hungarian and Belgian Grand Prix races will determine his future with his current team.
- A poor showing could lead to Ricciardo being dropped from the team, ending his tenure as a Grand Prix driver.
- Conversely, strong performances could see him promoted to the main Red Bull squad, especially as Sergio Perez’s position becomes more uncertain.
- Ricciardo recognizes the importance of these races, aiming to secure his career’s future.
Daniel Ricciardo is heading into what could be the most important week of his Formula 1 career. How he performs in the Hungarian Grand Prix and next week in Belgium will decide his life after the summer break and could end with outcomes at the extremes. Should the next two races go wrong, he could be dropped by his current team, potentially ending his time as a Grand Prix driver. However, if circumstances continue positively, he could find himself promoted to the main Red Bull squad.
With increasing doubts over Sergio Perez’s future amid his ongoing struggles, the timing could not be better for Ricciardo to top Q1 at the Hungaroring and deliver a strong qualifying performance, especially since his teammate Yuki Tsunoda also crashed out. The situation with Perez is complex, as Red Bull has three main options to replace him: Ricciardo, Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson, each with their pros and cons. The only certainty is Red Bull’s growing frustration with Perez’s performance. After the British Grand Prix, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner stated that Perez’s lack of points was “unsustainable” over the long run. After Perez’s Q1 crash at the Hungaroring, Horner commented on the team’s patience, saying, “Discussions like that happen internally, rather than through media. But obviously, we can’t run one-legged.”
When speculation over Perez’s future began, the logical replacement seemed to be the team’s reserve driver, Liam Lawson. The New Zealander has been on the sidelines but has a strong pedigree and has done extensive work in the team’s simulator. He was also evaluated in an RB20 test at Silverstone and showed the potential needed to step up. Ricciardo’s season had not produced the consistency hoped for, but his recent improvements and experience against Verstappen make him a less risky option.
Red Bull is aware of the risks of placing an inexperienced driver like Lawson alongside Verstappen. The pressure would be enormous, something Lawson might not be ready for. Meanwhile, Tsunoda did his chances no favors with a crash in Q3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, raising questions about his ability to handle pressure. Promoting Ricciardo would allow Red Bull to compare Lawson and Tsunoda directly in the second half of the year. If Ricciardo succeeds, the deal could extend into 2025. If not, Red Bull would have enough time to evaluate its young drivers.
Ricciardo himself acknowledged the critical nature of these races. Although he hasn’t received formal confirmation of a promotion, he is mentally prepared. “I haven’t been told anything, but I’ve told myself ‘fucking do it’ – go fast,” Ricciardo stated. “You got two races to give it hell, and that’s honestly not even with the idea of moving up. It’s even in my turn just trying to lock something in for next year. These two races could be the most important of my not only season but potentially career.”
The coming races are a make-or-break moment for Daniel Ricciardo, with his future in Formula 1 hanging in the balance.
