Daniel Ricciardo: RB driver strongly hints Formula 1 career poised to end after Singapore GP

Daniel Ricciardo is ready for the possibility that his Formula 1 career could be coming to an end following the Singapore Grand Prix. There is growing speculation that the Australian driver may be replaced by Liam Lawson for the upcoming race.

The 35-year-old, who has achieved victory in eight Grand Prix events during his 14-season career that spans 257 races, didn't dismiss the idea that he might not participate in the next race in the USA, scheduled for four weeks from now, after finishing 18th in Sunday's event.

"I need to admit that it has really felt like each race has been a unique challenge, and I definitely wish things had turned out better this weekend," Ricciardo shared with Sky Sports F1 during a thoughtful and heartfelt interview following a tough race. Despite the challenges, he was named the fans' driver of the day and achieved the fastest lap after making a last-minute pit stop for fresh tires.

"It didn't happen, so I need to be ready for the possibility that this could be the end."

"I'm at a place of acceptance with it. Eventually, we all have to face it."

In a recent interview with Craig Slater in the TV pen, Ricciardo shared his thoughts: "I need to recognize the reason for my return to Red Bull in 2023 after my time at McLaren. I've always made it clear that I didn't want to return just to occupy a spot on the grid; my goal is to compete at the front and to reconnect with Red Bull."

Clearly, it didn't work out as planned, which makes me ponder: "So, what else can I accomplish, and what other goals should I pursue?"

"I gave it my all, and while things didn't turn out like a fairytale, I can still reflect on the journey I've had. After about thirteen years, I feel proud of what I've accomplished."

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In what appears to be a reaction to speculation about his future and an acknowledgment of his accomplishments in Formula 1, the immensely popular Ricciardo secured the fans' driver of the day award on Sunday, even though he had a challenging weekend and struggled towards the back of the pack.

The Australian openly acknowledged, "Usually, driver of the day isn't something we pay much attention to, but today I must say I really value it. It holds some significance for me."

Following his departure from McLaren at the end of 2022, which came after a lackluster two-year period with the team, Ricciardo rejoined Red Bull as a reserve driver at the beginning of the next year. After showcasing his skills during a test drive of the main team's car at Silverstone, he was given Nyck de Vries' position at the sister team, RB.

Ricciardo later shared that it has always been his "dream" to come back to the main Red Bull team, partnering with Verstappen. He had a successful stint there from 2014 to 2018 before leaving to join Renault. However, in the past 14 months, he hasn't strongly proven himself worthy of a return, as his teammate Yuki Tsunoda has mostly come out ahead in their competition.

In contrast to Tsunoda, Ricciardo doesn't have a confirmed deal that would keep him racing until 2025.

"Lawson's Next Chance: Tough Decisions Ahead?"

Neither RB nor the main Red Bull team has officially confirmed Ricciardo's status past this weekend. However, they also haven't denied the increasing rumors that reserve driver Lawson is likely to step in and take the seat alongside Yuki Tsunoda for the remaining six races in the 2024 season.

Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull, stated to Sky Sports F1 in Singapore on Friday that the team will take advantage of the long pause before the US Grand Prix on October 20. This race marks the beginning of a series of three consecutive races in the Americas. He mentioned that they would "explore all available options" and acknowledged that "sometimes tough choices need to be made" to fully evaluate Lawson's abilities.

"These matters are always being evaluated, and there's clearly a more extensive context beyond just Daniel. We are exploring all our possibilities as we progress," Horner stated.

A break is approaching, giving us nearly a month until the next race. It’s only normal to pause and reflect on everything as we plan for the final stretch of the year.

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"It's not a negative reflection on Daniel. We understand his performance well. We have ample data and insights about his capabilities. However, there's a much broader context at play regarding the entire driver market and what the future holds."

"During this three-week break, we will undoubtedly take some time to reflect on all the possibilities available to us."

In discussing Lawson's current status as a reserve driver, Horner noted how well he performed while filling in for Ricciardo during five races at Red Bull last season, following Ricciardo's hand injury from a crash at Zandvoort. Horner commented, "Liam's efforts for us last year in the RB were quite remarkable. We valued that experience because Daniel was our go-to option in case Sergio [Perez] didn’t perform well. Although Daniel has had an acceptable season, it hasn't been a standout year."

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The next question to consider is: how skilled is Liam? Sometimes, we have to make tough choices to find out. We'll take the time to explore all our options during the three-week break.

There are only six races left in the 2024 Formula 1 season, which kicks off again with the United States Grand Prix in Austin from October 18 to 20. You can catch all the action live on Sky Sports F1. Enjoy every race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – no contract, and you can cancel whenever you want.