RB has indicated that Daniel Ricciardo will not complete the 2024 Formula 1 season with the side amid speculation that the Singapore Grand Prix was his final outing.
Ricciardo’s prospects in the sport have provided a huge talking point through the recent race weekend as rumours have circulated that he will be replaced in the team.
Speaking prior to the track action beginning, Ricciardo conceded that he could not guarantee that he would see out the season as he awaited a decision on next term.
But with Liam Lawson poised to be announced alongside Yuki Tsunoda at RB in 2025, there have been increasing reports that Ricciardo might be moved aside earlier.
The Australian’s comments post-race – where he trailed home 18th as he pitted late on to take the fastest lap – provided the impression that he is aware his time is up.
READ MORE: Daniel Ricciardo admits Singapore GP could have been his last F1 race
There has been no official confirmation that Ricciardo will not return to compete in the remaining six races, but RB boss Laurent Mekies has implied that it is probable.
“Starting from further back, we really needed a Safety Car opportunity for Daniel to get back into the fight for points,” Mekies said.
“Dan was on an aggressive strategy starting on Softs and has put in some very good laps through the race, but had no chance to get back into the good positions from so far back.
“He never gave up and fought all race long.”
“Given this may have been Daniel’s last race, we wanted to give him the chance to savour it and go out with the fastest lap.”
Horner coy on Ricciardo’s F1 prospects
Mekies being unsure about what will happen with Ricciardo derives from RB owners Red Bull being the ones who make the choice on who represents the sister team.
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner was more withdrawn than Mekies, but he did reveal that the autumn break will provide the chance to assess its driver stable.
“Well we’ve now got a period of time where we’ll evaluate all of the relative performances of the drivers,” Horner told media including Motorsport Week.
“A natural break in the season to reflect on that. And there’s a bigger picture obviously beyond Daniel. So he’s just one part of the jigsaw.”
Horner stated that Red Bull has acquired enough data on Ricciardo this season to pinpoint what level he has been operating at since his return to the series last term.
“I think that we know Daniel very well,” he added. “We know what he’s capable of, how he drives a car. So, yeah, we have that knowledge.”
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