Daniel Ricciardo has stressed that he’s not altering his approach to Formula 1 races despite acknowledging the reports that he could replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull.
Ricciardo returned to the Red Bull setup last term harbouring ambitions that he could return to the seat alongside Max Verstappen that he vacated at the end of 2018.
But while that option appeared to have diminished when Perez was handed a contract extension, the Mexican’s ongoing woes have prompted rumours over his future.
Perez’s latest deal is speculated to comprise clauses, and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has disclosed that a review will be held during the upcoming summer break.
That has come at a point when Ricciardo, who is also under pressure to retain his place at RB, has sustained an upturn as he senses a Red Bull revival could be viable.
Although he is under no illusions about how important this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix could be, Ricciardo is adamant that his preparation has remained unchanged.
“I’m definitely happier where I am now than the first few races this season,” Ricciardo expressed.
“I felt good all season, but it wasn’t quite clicking, for lack of a better word, the first few races, and I think then I’ve been able to get more out of myself, certainly the last few races.
“I think it’s trending in the right direction, and I think that’s obviously important.”
“Just focusing on myself and what I can do. And yeah, every race or few races, the narrative changes, and that’s the sport we’re in.
“Things are happening quickly and just got to try and, I think in these situations, focus on yourself and get the most out of that and then see where the wind takes me.
Ricciardo claims that an unprecedented scenario where he could either be promoted to Red Bull or dropped altogether has placed an added emphasis on delivering.
“I don’t want to say you’re as good as your last race, but there is, like, when it comes to these moments, these races are more critical than any other,” he explained.
“So as I said, coming into Budapest, and this wasn’t anything I’d heard from them, but even just myself, just telling myself, ‘look, these could be two very, very important races in my career and just leave it all out there and do everything I can’. Because look, obviously going up, that’s, as I said last year, that’s like my goal.
“I’d love to return, but you know, there’s also talks that will I even be here?
“So it’s like, there is so much to kind of fight for. And yeah, I think for that, I just really made a point to every race you prepare.
“And of course, you do what you can. But I just made a point for these two coming up that, yeah, leave it all out there. And that’s that. So yeah. We’ll see.”
The eight-time F1 race victor has revealed that he remains in constant communication with Red Bull boss Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko over his results.
“I still speak with Christian and Helmut on that side still quite a lot,” he confirmed. “And yeah, I mean, a lot still goes through them, honestly.
“It’s good to see them after a good result. Helmut still is, he’ll let you know when the result’s not good.
“But I definitely feel happy being back in that and under that kind of microscope, if you will, and in that environment with a little bit of that pressure, it’s fun.”
