Daniel Ricciardo expects a “real shakeup” to the Formula 1 grid before the 2021 season gets going in March next year.
A number of drivers will be out of contract at the end of 2020 and the 30-year-old Renault driver said he thinks the potential driver movements will be exciting for fans of the sport.
In an interview with the Australian Sunday Times, carried out before recent driver announcements, Ricciardo said: “I haven’t [got a contract past 2020] and that’s not anything personal, it’s just we haven’t had any discussion about beyond 2020 yet.
“It’s still early days. I would love for 2020 to work out and I stay, that’s the easiest and happiest scenario, I wish for that.
“As far as 2021 goes and that musical chairs, so to speak, I think F1 could get a real shakeup.
“Pretty much every driver is out of contract so from a fan (perspective) I think that is going to be pretty exciting to see how it all shapes out.”
As a result of his contract situation, Ricciardo has been linked to a potential move to Ferrari with Sebastian Vettel rumoured to be considering retirement at the end of this year. Charles Leclerc meanwhile has a long-term deal in place.
It was also announced on Tuesday that Ricciardo’s former Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen had signed a new deal with the Milton Keynes outfit until 2023, which would likely rule him out of a Ferrari seat in 2021.
“I guess it’s probably always going to be there … they always linked me to that [Ferrari], with my Italian roots.
“I got no more of this year than I have in previous years. But it’s nice to be talked about and still relevant and kind of in the mix as far as names getting thrown around.”
The first race of the 2020 F1 will be held on 15 March in Melbourne, Australia.
