The Austrian Grand Prix was dominated by events at the very front of the race, but there were plenty of exciting plot points throughout the grid.
Both Alpine drivers came very close to colliding once again battling for the final point, while Fernando Alonso had another race to forget, finishing 18 and hitting Zhou Guanyu in the process.
However, there were lots of positives to focus on too, with Haas having their best race of the season, scoring 12 points in the process.
Speaking on the Channel 4 coverage of the race, David Coulthard was reflecting on an exciting Austrian Grand Prix.
One driver’s performance, in particular, he wanted to examine was that of Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo.
The Australian finished 9 and scored a couple of valuable points for himself and the team.
However, Coulthard is beginning to become concerned with the rumours swirling around his future.
Ricciardo’s RB seat is reportedly under serious threat with Liam Lawson waiting in the wings.
The 35-year-old may have to put in several brilliant performances to avoid being let go during the summer break.
READ MORE: Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
David Coulthard admits talk about Daniel Ricciardo’s future makes him ‘really uncomfortable’
Asked whether Ricciardo’s future in Formula 1 is in doubt, Coulthard said: “I think it would be difficult for any team up and down the pit lane that’s seriously stating that they’re putting everything in place to be world championship contenders or Grand Prix winning contenders right now on the basis of how his career his played out at McLaren and now here alongside Yuki [Tsunoda].
“We all Daniel [Ricciardo], he’s a brilliant asset for the paddock but yeah it’s just really uncomfortable anyway to see that those rumours are floating around.
“It looks like they were started by Helmut Marko who’s the director of the young drivers.”
Host Gethin Jones replies: “You’re referencing the rumours that he might not see the end of the season?”
Coulthard added: “Yeah, it’s really uncomfortable, either commit or don’t.”
Daniel Ricciardo in a precarious position in the Red Bull group
Heading into the Austrian Grand Prix, Ricciardo knew he was the only driver in the Red Bull quartet not signed up to a new deal for 2025 and beyond.
Yuki Tsunoda has outperformed him for much of this season and earned a new contract during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
Red Bull will work with Max Verstappen for as long as he’s willing to stay with the team, however, the timing of Sergio Perez’s renewal makes less and less sense the longer his poor run of form goes on.
If Ricciardo drove for any other team this season his seat would be safe until the end of the campaign.
However, Red Bull have the luxury of an incredibly strong pool of young drivers and with Liam Lawson waiting for his chance, Ricciardo knows he’s under pressure.
Red Bull also won’t want to lose Lawson and know that he has a clause in his contract that allows him to explore other options if they don’t offer him a race seat.
The team are in an awkward position and there’s a chance that Ricciardo is the man who will eventually miss out.
The post ‘Really uncomfortable’: David Coulthard unhappy with the rumours circling around ‘brilliant’ F1 driver right now appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
