Daniel Ricciardo says it’s reasonable to anticipate he received’t be racing in Method 1 once more after the Singapore Grand Prix, and that he’s at peace with shedding his RB seat if it occurs.
Purple Bull opted to stay with Sergio Perez when reviewing its driver line-up initially 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 yr following the race in Singapore, however with sources suggesting he could possibly be changed earlier than the subsequent 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 reasonable probability [racing in Austin] just isn’t going to occur,” Ricciardo stated. “I believe clearly it’s been a really race by race scenario with Purple Bull, I believe for all of us in a approach, clearly Checo as nicely, and at instances it feels prefer it’s going a technique, then it goes the opposite.
“Clearly there was plenty of emphasis on this weekend. I’d have cherished a greater weekend and who is aware of if that might 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 believe acknowledge additionally why I got here again into the game. Typically you see the massive image and I all the time stated I don’t wish to be a man who’s simply right here on the grid and preventing for a degree now and again, which has kinda been how this yr’s gone.
“Clearly this yr the aim was to attempt to do adequate to get again into Purple Bull and combat for wins once more, see if I’ve nonetheless obtained it. I felt like I got here up quick with that, so I believe it’s then, ‘OK, what else am I preventing for right here? What else goes to provide 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 area. Clearly you must be egocentric, however for me if I’m not capable of combat on the entrance with Purple 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 highlightx checklist with quickest lap. Lionel Ng/Motorsport Pictures
Ought to it’s Ricciardo’s closing race in F1, he signed off with a quickest lap after pitting for tender tires from the again of the sector and taking the additional level off winner Lando Norris. That ensured Max Verstappen’s championship lead is one level greater than it might have been, and Ricciardo says he was conscious that could possibly be an element within the choice.
“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 initially and knew it’d be a little bit of a difficult place to overhaul. So we by no means know what occurs on lap 1.
“Our begins haven’t been nice this yr and we’re on the soiled aspect so we thought, OK, if we put a tough on we’re in all probability going to go backwards, so let’s put a tender on and see the place it takes us and if it doesn’t do a lot for us we will attempt to pit early and perhaps undercut a couple of automobiles.
“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 additionally noticed he was out of the factors; perhaps that’s additionally some affirmation that we didn’t fairly have it at the moment. So, on the finish, quickest lap, kinda hoping Max wins by a degree now as I’ve assured myself a really good Christmas current. So, sorry Lando!”
