Singapore: Last chance for Daniel Ricciardo?

Since his return to F1 mid-season last year, Daniel Ricciardo was never really reassured. Drafted to replace a Nyck de Vries disappointing at Alpha Tauri (now Racing Bulls), the Honey Badger failed to convince. The initial plan of Red Bull was to relaunch it, and in the event of good performances to put it back alongside Max Verstappen in the mother team, he who had supposedly shown times close to those of the Dutchman during a private test at Silverstone.

Alas, a little over a year later, it is clear that Danny Ric' has not lived up to the expectations placed in him by the Austrian leaders. Dominated by his teammate Yuki tsunoda Over the course of the season, he has gradually moved away from this potential return to Milton Keynes and has moved closer to the… exit door. And as the time comes to attack the Singapore Grand Prix, the Australian seems to have his last chance while rumours of a possible replacement by Liam Lawson at the end of the weekend have only been growing in recent days.

For his part, Daniel Ricciardo appeared relaxed, smiling in front of the cameras, as is his custom. Enough to reassure about his future? Judging by appearances, not really since he was accompanied by the press officer of Red Bull and not of Racing Bulls during his press briefings. No doubt to avoid any speculation about his situation.

« Right now my expectations are for next year., he said. I can't give too many details, but in terms of the contract, that's the situation. I'm basically waiting for a decision, positive or negative. There's speculation about the rest of the season, but the decision I'm waiting for at the moment is for next year, even though strange things have happened in this sport.

I would say this is not my last race, but we know how this sport works. I am not going to come out and say for sure “I will continue”. I would not bet my house on that. »

Red Bull or nothing?

In the event of a non-renewal at Racing Bulls, Daniel Ricciardo has been realistic about the rest of his career. Driven by the desire to fight at the top of the table, the Perth native has no intention of staying just to stay. If he does not have a convincing offer that meets his ambitions, DR3 could then decide to leave the peloton. In any case, the possibility has been raised and is real.

« I'm 35 years old, I've had the opportunity to ride at the front and I know that it's not very pleasant to be in the middle of the pack and to know that these moments will not happen again.He says. I talked to myself. I'm not going to jump at every opportunity that comes my way next year. (...) When I looked back on my year in January, I was hoping it would be better than it was. I feel like I worked hard and the results didn't match my efforts. But that's sport. I wish I had been more consistent. »

Smiling and relaxed in the foreground, Daniel Ricciardo would undoubtedly have liked to attack Singapore in a completely different frame of mind, far from the speculations about his future and the threat hanging over his head. If he prepares for the weekend like any other, he is certainly aware that this Grand Prix could sound the death knell, at least in the Austrian fold. And while places are becoming increasingly rare, perhaps also in F1. Red Bull has in any case planned, according to Helmut Marko, to wait until the end of the Singapore meeting to decide. In favour of Ricciardo?

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