Daniel Ricciardo says it’s sensible to count on he received’t be racing in System 1 once more after the Singapore Grand Prix, and that he’s at peace with dropping his RB seat if it occurs.
Crimson Bull opted to stay with Sergio Perez when reviewing its driver line-up at first of August, leaving Ricciardo at RB however with Liam Lawson ready for a possible race seat. Whereas Yuki Tsunoda is confirmed for 2025, Ricciardo was anticipating a solution on subsequent 12 months following the race in Singapore, however with sources suggesting he may very well be changed earlier than the following spherical — the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas — he admits he has accepted that’s prone to be the case.
“Look, clearly there’s a sensible probability [racing in Austin] is just not going to occur,” Ricciardo stated. “I feel clearly it’s been a really race by race state of affairs with Crimson Bull, I feel for all of us in a approach, clearly Checo as nicely, and at occasions it feels prefer it’s going a technique, then it goes the opposite.
“Clearly there was a variety of emphasis on this weekend. I might have beloved a greater weekend and who is aware of if that will have modified something or if the choice’s been made already previous to the weekend. I’m clearly ready for it — that’s why over the weekend I attempted to acknowledge a couple of issues as nicely with myself.
“I feel acknowledge additionally why I got here again into the game. Typically you see the massive image and I at all times stated I don’t wish to be a man who’s simply right here on the grid and combating for some extent every so often, which has kinda been how this 12 months’s gone.
“Clearly this 12 months the aim was to try to do ok to get again into Crimson Bull and struggle for wins once more, see if I’ve nonetheless obtained it. I felt like I got here up quick with that, so I feel it’s then, ‘OK, what else am I combating for right here? What else goes to offer me achievement?’
“I’ve been a younger driver as nicely and in some unspecified time in the future I don’t simply wish to take up house. Clearly it’s important to be egocentric, however for me if I’m not capable of struggle on the entrance with Crimson Bull, I’ve to ask myself what am I staying on the grid for? That’s one thing I’ve additionally come to peace with.”
If this was Ricciardo’s final race, he went out along with his identify on the spotlight listing with quickest lap. Lionel Ng/Motorsport Photographs
Ought to it’s Ricciardo’s ultimate race in F1, he signed off with a quickest lap after pitting for gentle tires from the again of the sphere and taking the additional level off winner Lando Norris. That ensured Max Verstappen’s championship lead is one level greater than it could have been, and Ricciardo says he was conscious that may very well be an element within the resolution.
“I had an thought however I additionally thought they have been simply letting me have some enjoyable as a result of we have been a good distance out of the factors. We tried softs, attempting to be a bit extra aggressive at first and knew it’d be a little bit of a tough place to overhaul. So we by no means know what occurs on lap 1.
“Our begins haven’t been nice this 12 months and we’re on the soiled facet so we thought, OK, if we put a tough on we’re most likely going to go backwards, so let’s put a gentle on and see the place it takes us and if it doesn’t do a lot for us we will try to pit early and perhaps undercut a couple of vehicles.
“Look, on the finish of the day we weren’t fast sufficient. I don’t know the total image of Yuki [Tsunoda]’s race but in addition noticed he was out of the factors; perhaps that’s additionally some affirmation that we didn’t fairly have it at present. So, on the finish, quickest lap, kinda hoping Max wins by some extent now as I’ve assured myself a really good Christmas current. So, sorry Lando!”
