F1
Ricciardo would not accept reserve driver role if he was to be sacked by Red Bull
© Florent Gooden / DPPI
His departure from Racing Bulls – and the Formula 1 ? – is not yet announced, that already, the future of Daniel Ricciardo is on everyone's lips in the paddock. The Australian probably experienced his last race in Singapore last weekend, at the wheel of the Racing Bulls. Throughout the weekend, amid speculation about a possible replacement by Liam Lawson at the next meeting in Austin, the eight-time Grand Prix winner remained very evasive about the famous "deadlines" of his contract and about the continuation of the adventure with the clan Red Bull.
Ricciardo sees no point in being a reserve
However, there are plenty of signs that Daniel Ricciardo is unlikely to go any further with the Italian team. From his tears in the mixed zone at the finish of the Singapore Grand Prix, to the guard of honour offered by his mechanics and the “gift” of the fastest lap at the end of the race, everything indicates that the Perth native has contested his last weekend with Racing Bulls, if not in Formula 1. So, if he does indeed have to be replaced by Liam Lawson for the end of the season, what would Daniel Ricciardo do? Would he stay in the Red Bull fold to make up for a possible absence for the last six rounds? Would he leave the paddock for good?
If there is one thing we are now almost certain of, it is that Daniel Ricciardo will not be reserve driver in 2025. A role he accepted in 2023 at Red Bull, a few months after the end of his nightmarish adventure with McLarenThis time, the Australian, when asked about this possibility, dismissed the question of a short- and medium-term reserve role. "No. Obviously last year it made sense to keep one foot in the door because the overall goal was to try to get back to Red Bull. But I think if I had to do it again it wouldn't do much good: I'm not going to relaunch my career."
Whatever happens to Daniel Ricciardo in the rest of his career, the Aussie would leave Formula 1 with the feeling of having achieved everything in the sport, determined to face the end of his F1 career with dignity rather than "look back and be sad." "I can't be disappointed with what I've accomplished. I'm glad I got to do it once and had a lot of fun."
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Dorian Grangier
A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
25/09/2024 at 05:25 a.m.
The "Honey Badger" can return to his island continent and rake in some dollars (Australian this time) by taking part in the iconic Aussie championship, the Supercars Championship with good old naturally aspirated V8s!