Ricciardo makes ‘deserving driver’ claim over Red Bull F1 future

Daniel Ricciardo has insisted that he is confident of retaining his status as a Formula 1 driver, despite time running out to seal a contract for next season.

The Australian is currently only contracted with his Visa Cash App RB team until the end of 2024, and is looking increasingly unlikely to be promoted into the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen for 2025.

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On top of this, Red Bull chief advisor Helmut Marko has suggested that the sister team should be for 'junior drivers', with 35-year-old Ricciardo providing somewhat of a dilemma for the team.

Ricciardo has been largely outperformed by team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in 2024, although recent flashes of his old brilliance have provided him with a real case to be retained for 2025.

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24-year-old Tsunoda has already been given a new contract, while the struggling Sergio Perez also has a contract with Red Bull that lasts until the end of 2025.

On top of this, Red Bull have a number of junior drivers waiting in the wings for their chance to impress, with Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar the biggest names believing they deserve a full-time role in F1.

Now, heading into the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, Ricciardo has been speaking to GPFans and other media about the potential of a promotion to the Red Bull hotseat, as well as his overall perspective on his future in the sport.

"Look I didn't rule [a Red Bull promotion] out for sure," the Australian said.

"I don't want to say. 'Oh, no, I never thought that', I thought maybe something could happen but I also didn't expect it or kind of get my hopes up. I was aware, maybe something changes, but let's just do what I'm doing and if I get a call, I get a call so that was that.

"Obviously, I didn't get a call but also that was probably where l'd mentally kind of prepared myself more than oh, this is it now, this is going to happen so, pretty unchanged."

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Ricciardo was then quizzed on Marko's comments that Lawson will certainly be in one of the four available Red Bull seats next season, suggesting it will only spur on his performances.

"I still know that performance is my best friend, and that's if I do what I know I can do and am capable of, then I think it puts me in a very good position to obviously stay somewhere in the [Red Bull] family for next year," Ricciardo continued.

"Speaking on Liam, obviously l got to see him drive the car last year and I do think he did a great job, I do think he is worthy of a seat on the grid.

"In a way I'm happy for him like if he is guaranteed a seat next year, then I think that's good because he is a deserving driver.

"So then what that means for me, as I said probably a little bit unknown but if I perform then I’m sure they’ll find a spot for me somewhere."

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