The first half of the Formula One season has not gone as Daniel Ricciardo and his fans had hoped. Speculation about his future has been rife, with many wondering if the veteran driver will be forced to relinquish his seat with the Racing Bulls during the summer break. While talk of an exit has been quashed, Ricciardo recently addressed rumors of a possible end to his F1 career.
Daniel Ricciardo has candidly admitted that “nothing can really hurt me anymore” as his future with Red Bull hangs in the balance for the second half of the 2024 F1 season. Since returning to F1 with Red Bull’s junior team VCARB in 2023, Ricciardo has faced significant challenges, scoring points in just four of his 22 starts. Despite early-season struggles alongside teammate Yuki Tsunoda, which fueled speculation about his potential replacement, Ricciardo sees his current stint in F1 as a “bonus.” The 35-year-old Australian explained: “It’s not that I have an ‘I don’t care’ attitude, but my perspective is that all this is a bonus now because I really thought at the end of 2022 I might never race again.”
In a decisive move, the Racing Bulls’ decision-makers have decided to maintain the status quo after the summer break, retaining Perez at Red Bull Racing (for now), therefore Ricciardo remains in his current seat, continuing to chase points for Red Bull’s junior team. The decision means that up-and-coming talent such as Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar will have to bide their time for the time being. However, Ricciardo doesn’t feel he is denying any young hopefuls a chance at the pinnacle of motorsport. “They will get that chance – but not yet. I also know what it’s like to be a junior who is hungry and wants that chance to get into the sport,” Ricciardo told Racing News 365.
Despite the less than stellar results this season, Ricciardo insists retirement is not on his radar. “The day I feel like I’m occupying a space that I can’t fill, I won’t be comfortable in it. Then I won’t be here,” he said, underlining his commitment to not hindering the career paths of younger drivers. “But I don’t feel I’m ready yet,” Ricciardo reiterated, reflecting on his enduring passion and dedication to the sport. He added: “The day I’m ready, I’ll probably be open about it.” For now, Ricciardo remains “fully committed” to his racing career, although he admits the “results are pretty damn bad.”
Red Bull’s plans for the future are also a crucial element in Ricciardo’s current position. The team’s advisor, Helmut Marko, has revealed that shareholders would like to see VCARB return to its Toro Rosso roots, primarily as a junior team to develop young drivers. The revelation has cast a shadow over the future of Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson, who may seek opportunities elsewhere if he is not promoted to a permanent seat by 2025. Once thought to be in danger of being replaced by Lawson, Ricciardo has responded to the pressure with remarkable performances, scoring three points in six races between Canada and Belgium. His resilience has positioned him as a potential candidate to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing for the remainder of the season. However, Red Bull confirmed last week that both Ricciardo and Perez will retain their seats for the second half of the season.
As the second half of the season approaches, Ricciardo has adopted a pragmatic approach, stating, “I can’t control what’s going to happen. I can control what happens on the track. I don’t even take it race by race. I take it session by session.” It is a mindset he says has helped him to remain focused amidst the swirling uncertainties surrounding his future. With ten crucial races remaining in the current season, all eyes will be on Ricciardo to see if he can turn his fortunes around and secure his position for next year. His latest comments, made during the Austrian Grand Prix, reveal a relaxed attitude towards his future, expressing confidence that his efforts and performances will speak for themselves. “If this is good enough to secure me a seat, then great. If not, OK. I did everything I could.”
Ricciardo’s journey back to Red Bull followed a tumultuous period at McLaren, where he parted ways with the team at the end of the 2022 season after two difficult years alongside Lando Norris. This left Ricciardo without a seat, but his return to Red Bull as a reserve driver at the start of 2023 marked the start of his second chance in F1. Reflecting on his time at McLaren, Ricciardo has expressed a sense of closure and readiness for whatever comes next. “I think in terms of musical chairs, if I focus on that then I’m [in trouble]. I have to focus all my attention here. Just like that,” he explained. That focus on the present and his ability to handle the pressure will be crucial as he navigates the remaining races of the season.
Ricciardo’s passion and commitment to the sport are evident as he faces the uncertainties of his career with a balanced perspective. Whether he remains with the Racing Bulls or moves on, Ricciardo’s influence and legacy in F1 are undeniable. As the 2024 season progresses, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Ricciardo performs and what decisions Red Bull will make regarding their driver line-up for 2025.
