Daniel Ricciardo delivered a timely boost to prospects of staying in Formula 1 at the Austrian Grand Prix. Ricciardo finished ninth to score points for RB for just the third time this season.
Speaking last Thursday, F1TV presenter Will Buxton suggested that Ricciardo could be driving in his last race for the team in Spielberg. Red Bull executive director Helmut Marko has indicated that the team would like to get reserve driver Liam Lawson in the car.
But Ricciardo produced a strong performance to ward off a mid-season driver change for the time being. He out-qualified Yuki Tsunoda, narrowing the deficit to 8-3 overall, and came home five spots ahead in the race.
The 35-year-old actually lost a spot in the championship as Nico Hulkenberg picked up a big haul in P6 for Haas. But it was more important that he closed the gap to Tsunoda (now eight points – 19 vs 11).
RB have already activated their option to extend the Japanese driver’s contract. Ricciardo’s deal is up at the end of the year and he’s been trying to earn a renewal of his own.
But Red Bull will be wary of losing the highly-rated Lawson. He has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave if they don’t find him a seat on the 2025 grid.
Daniel Ricciardo emerging as Williams option instead of Carlos Sainz
Speaking on the F1TV broadcast on the grid ahead of Sunday’s race, Buxton reiterated that there was ‘much talk’ about Ricciardo losing his RB seat this summer. On the face of it, many would see that as a career-ending blow.
After all, Red Bull handed Ricciardo a lifeline 12 months ago when they drafted him in for a struggling Nyck de Vries. He’d lost his spot on the F1 grid after Oscar Piastri replaced him at McLaren.
His stock would fall once again if he lost his drive to Lawson. Indeed, Audi have apparently ruled him out of contention for their vacant seat already.
But Buxton says Williams could yet place their faith in the eight-time race-winner. The £547m team (Forbes) are looking at alternatives to Carlos Sainz after growing frustrated with his indecision.
“His entire future [is] on the line right now,” Buxton said. “Much talk he will be out of this seat after the summer break.
“Talk that he may be in negotiations with Williams for their second seat next year alongside Alex Albon. Williams, as we understand, are sick of waiting for Carlos Sainz to make his mind up on where he wants to go next year and may close that door off for him.”
Who else could partner Alex Albon at Williams?
With the seats on the 2025 grid slowly filling up, Ricciardo knows there will be ever-increasing competition for any remaining openings. In the case of Williams, Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas seem to be the main threats.
Ocon is leaving Alpine at the end of the season and boasts a fine CV with three career podiums, including a race win. But it’s previously been reported that James Vowles doesn’t see him as a team player.
Bottas, meanwhile, could lose his spot at Sauber/Audi following the signing of Hulkenberg. Vowles already knows him well, having served as the chief strategist during the Finn’s stint at Mercedes.
Ricciardo’s recent improvement in the face of adversity suggests he remains passionate about competing in F1. With 250 Grands Prix under his belt, you could understand if he was no longer enthused by the idea of battling in the lower midfield.
Martin Brundle wishes he’d never left Red Bull back in 2018. In his eyes, that was an ’emotional’ and ‘flawed’ move that derailed what was shaping up to be a legendary career.
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