Yahoo Autos Ricciardo on rumors of RB ouster: ‘Obviously, crazy things have happened in this sport’
Daniel Ricciardo says he expects to see out this season but is awaiting a decision on whether he will have a race seat in 2025 after this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
Red Bull has yet to make a decision on the second RB seat alongside Yuki Tsunoda for next year, with Ricciardo coming to the end of his first full season back with the team but facing competition from Liam Lawson. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has previously suggested there would be clarity after Singapore but while recent speculation has linked Lawson with Ricciardo’s seat as early as the next race at Circuit of The Americas, the Australian says he has no knowledge of an imminent change.
“Let’s say my first expectation is about next year,” Ricciardo said. “So that’s where I’m at at the moment. I can’t give too many details, in terms of contracts — our dates pretty much come into this window now. Basically, I do expect a yes or a no for ’25.
“Obviously, I’m aware of some talk and speculation about the rest of the season. But that for me at the moment, I’m unaware of. The decision I expect is for next year. Obviously, crazy things have happened in this sport. I’m also not going to stand here too boastful and confident. Like, I believe I will be [back], but let’s obviously see.”
While wary of discussing contractual information, Ricciardo says he doesn’t see a situation in his current deal that would allow him to be replaced after Singapore.
“I don’t think so, but, I also don’t want to stand here and be the lawyer. Look, I would say no, but also, we know how this sport works. People have not seen through a season before. It’s nothing new in some ways. So I don’t want to also be, ‘Oh, 100%, I’ll bet all my house on it.’ I’ve been around too long.”
Ricciardo says nothing has changed since he was told he would not be replacing Sergio Perez at Red Bull back in August, and that he’s tried to make sure he doesn’t get too involved with rumors if he hasn’t had any direct feedback from the team.
“I think, all this stuff, what’s crazy about the sport is — and this is me just now just talking a bit of s**t — but I go and get a podium this weekend, and I’m probably the hottest thing in the sport! So that’s the merry-go-round we’re on. I know it can change quickly. I’m aware that things are hotting up so to speak, but I just have to try and get my head down this weekend and kick some ass!
“I think as early as probably Japan or Miami, there was, ‘Am I even going to rock up to the next race?’ I didn’t hear that from the team. But obviously there’s noise about that. You hear that one week, and then I put two good races together and Checo doesn’t, and I’m ‘Oh, am I going to be in the Red Bull in the summer break?’
“So I think the main thing is try not to get too high, try not to get too low. At the end of the day, focus on myself. That’s where I probably learned as well from the past, not to get bogged down in too much other stuff, because that will always be there, that will always exist.
“Control the controllables. And that’s me putting my best foot forward and making sure I’m loving what I’m doing. As much as the year has had some highs and lows, and even now, standing here today there’s a lot of pressure and speculation, I still am happy to be here. I still can’t wait to be in the car tomorrow. I can’t wait to sweat my t**s off. And then we’ll see what happens.”
