Daniel Ricciardo denies ultimatum from RB amid seat speculation
Daniel Ricciardo has firmly stated that RB has not issued any ultimatum regarding his future with the team, despite rising pressures and speculation surrounding his seat in Formula One. The Australian driver, currently out of contract at the end of the season, faces a crucial juncture as his position with Red Bull’s sister team, RB, appears increasingly precarious.
Ricciardo’s aspirations to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull next year were dashed earlier this month when the team announced a contract extension for the Mexican driver. Additionally, Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko suggested that it might be time to introduce young talent into the team, further putting Ricciardo’s seat at risk.
New Zealand's Liam Lawson, who has been RB’s reserve driver and impressed as a stand-in, is waiting in the wings for an opportunity.
Speaking to reporters at the Austrian Grand Prix on Thursday, Ricciardo revealed that he only learned about Marko's comments upon arriving at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
"I don't feel one way or another about it. I still know the overriding thing in this sport is performance," the 34-year-old stated. "That's what will give me my best chance of staying here. I know that. It's not going to be my smile or anything else; it's the on-track stuff."
Ricciardo emphasized that there has been no explicit pressure or ultimatum from the team. "But also I've been in the sport a long time. I know that if I'm getting my ass kicked every weekend, at some point someone will be like, 'Hey mate, step it up, otherwise…'. But I haven't had that," he added.
Red Bull has already secured Japan's Yuki Tsunoda for the 2025 season, with RB's chief executive Peter Bayer expressing satisfaction with the current lineup and focusing on upcoming races until the summer break. There are three races remaining, including Austria, before the August interval.
Ricciardo, an eight-time grand prix winner with seven victories between 2014 and 2018, has found himself outscored by Tsunoda over the ten races so far this season. His return to racing with RB last year followed a mutually agreed departure from McLaren in 2022 after two challenging seasons, punctuated by a 2021 win at Monza.
As the season's tension mounts, Ricciardo remains focused on delivering strong performances on the track, which he recognizes as the key to securing his future in Formula One.
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