Daniel Ricciardo has performed down discuss the Singapore Grand Prix will likely be his final Components 1 race – however says he has been round too lengthy to fully rule it out.
Crimson Bull and RB’s senior administration are set to decide after this weekend’s race in Singapore about their 2025 driver line-up.
And with it trying nearly sure that reserve driver Liam Lawson will get the nod to step as much as RB as Yuki Tsunoda’s team-mate, there has emerged a situation the place the squad elects to make the swap instantly relatively than wait till the beginning of subsequent season.
That may carry the curtain down on Ricciardo’s F1 profession, after a season the place he has loved some good outcomes however equally endured some frustrations.
Ricciardo stated he was unaware of there being strikes for RB to change drivers in time for the US Grand Prix, however equally drew wanting fully ruling it out.
Talking in regards to the swirling hypothesis on his future, the Australian stated: “My first expectation is about subsequent yr, in order that’s the place I am in the meanwhile.
“Clearly, I am unable to give too many particulars, however by way of contract, yeah, our dates just about come into this window now. So mainly, I do anticipate a sure or a no for ’25.
“Then, yeah, I am conscious of some discuss and hypothesis about the remainder of the season, however that [being replaced post-Singapore], for me, in the meanwhile, I am unaware of.
“So, the choice I anticipate is for subsequent yr. However clearly, loopy issues have occurred on this sport, so I am additionally not going to face right here too boastful and assured that, ‘oh yeah’. Like, I consider I will likely be, however let’s examine.”
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Workforce VCARB 01
Photograph by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Photos
The RB choice after this weekend revolves round components in Lawson’s contract needing to be triggered to make sure he doesn’t change into a free agent.
Requested instantly if there was something in his personal contract that meant Singapore could be his final race, Ricciardo stated: “I do not suppose so. However I additionally do not need to stand right here and be the lawyer.
“Look, I’d say no. But in addition, we all know how this sport works. You recognize, individuals haven’t seen by a season earlier than, so it is nothing new in some methods.
“So, I do not need to even be like, ‘oh, 100% I will guess all my home on it’. I have been round too lengthy.”
Probably dropping his drive to Lawson would nearly actually imply that Ricciardo will likely be out of F1 subsequent season – with no different practical choices on the grid.
And, whereas that would open up alternatives to compete in different classes, he has made clear {that a} swap to race one thing else isn’t essentially his most well-liked choice.
Requested about different collection, Ricciardo stated: “IndyCar nonetheless scares me! Look, I’ve considered it as a result of I additionally considered it a pair years in the past after I knew that I wasn’t going to start out the ’23 season.
“However I do know I am nonetheless a competitor. I do know I nonetheless have a variety of fireplace in me, however perhaps that itch is scratched doing one thing else. I do not know.
“We’ll see. It is onerous, like even speaking about, simply being within the sport and preventing for perhaps a tenth place every so often. It is perhaps the identical with doing one other collection.
“And no disrespect to different collection, I am a fan of, NASCAR and a variety of different types of motorsport, however as a result of I have been there and skilled the best of highs, will I get true fulfilment doing one thing else and no assure I will be superior doing one thing else?
“Is that going to really scratch the itch and provides me what I would like? I do not know. I might most likely say extra no than sure, however these are issues I will take into consideration if I am not on this place.”