Where will Daniel Ricciardo go in 2019 and who could take his place at Red Bull?

The possible transfer of Daniel Ricciardo in 2019 could well become the saga of the summer. Ferrari and Mercedes have already been announced as likely destinations for the upcoming season, but, on the sidelines of the French Grand Prix at the Circuit Paul Ricard, a new rumor has come to shake up all the theories.

The McLaren rumor increasingly persistent.

Indeed, according to Helmut Marko, who gave an interview to our German colleagues at Auto Bild, McLaren continues to raise the stakes to secure the services of the Australian driver as early as next year: Ricciardo is currently the king of the transfer market. McLaren offers him more every week, but some people at Mercedes want him on the team.

But to convince the Red Bull driver, McLaren would have made an offer of $20 million per year, triple what the Australian currently earns in his team. An offer that Red Bull may not necessarily want to match according to Marko: « Red Bull is not known for throwing huge amounts of money out the window. »

So, could money tip the scales in Ricciardo’s decision for next season? The Australian is not indifferent to McLaren’s proposal: « I haven’t been offered something like that. But let’s be honest: everyone talks about Mercedes and Ferrari as potential teams for me. But I’m aware that other teams will show interest. McLaren is certainly one of them. It will probably depend on Fernando Alonso’s decision, whether he wants to stop or continue in F1. If he leaves, McLaren bosses will be looking for a driver bringing experience. »

Ricciardo also courted by Mercedes.

The Australian might just as well join Mercedes to replace the Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas. However, there’s a cloud on the horizon: teaming up with Lewis Hamilton, a situation that is challenging in itself. One remembers the coexistence between Hamilton and Rosberg in recent years. Obviously, with Mercedes, he could showcase his great talent with a car that has dominated the field over the past four years, but he will have to contend with a four-time world champion with sharp ambition who doesn’t give an inch to his teammates. Moreover, Bottas, who has had a strong first third of the season so far with 86 points and 4 podiums, including a victory that slipped away in Azerbaijan due to a puncture while leading the race with a few laps to go, shouldn’t be underestimated.

Note that Bottas is in his last year of contract with Mercedes. He will want to prove that he has his place alongside Hamilton. Additionally, the relationship between the two men is very good, an important factor for Toto Wolf, who experienced the turbulent episodes between Rosberg and Hamilton in 2016.

But according to Helmut Marko, Ricciardo secretly hopes that Hamilton does not extend his contract and leaves F1 at the end of the year, thus offering him a golden opportunity.

What about Ferrari and a new partnership with Vettel?

Kimi Raikonnen is also in his last year of contract. However, the question to ask is: would Sebastian Vettel want to have Ricciardo as a teammate knowing that the Australian had outperformed him at Red Bull in 2014? Was it a lack of motivation from the German after four consecutive world title wins or a coincidence? In any case, it could be interesting to see this duo at Scuderia. Ferrari is in a strong position this season. Ricciardo could conceivably aspire to a world driver’s title, the ultimate dream of the Australian driver. However, Ferrari over the years has always favored a number one driver; would they be willing to accept the coexistence of two drivers aspiring to the world title?

Pierre Gasly could replace Daniel Ricciardo?

And if Ricciardo leaves for other pastures, who could take his seat at Red Bull? During Thursday’s press conference, Pierre Gasly addressed the situation: « I’m in Formula 1 to fight for victory, that’s what I’ve been fighting for since the start of my career and my goal as a Red Bull driver is to find myself in a Red Bull seat as quickly as possible. But for now, I’m only in my first full season in Formula 1 and I have to focus on my work and not on the opportunities Red Bull might offer me. We’ll see what Daniel does, but it’s still a bit early, and I have to stay focused. »

From our special correspondent in Castellet

*Written in collaboration with Martin Fournier*