Ricciardo rejects the role of reserve driver at Red Bull

Did the Singapore Grand Prix mark the end of Daniel Ricciardo’s career? Although no official announcement has been made, rumors in the paddock and the Australian driver’s emotion in front of the media after the race suggest that he may have raced his last Grand Prix in Formula 1. The former Red Bull driver was even welcomed by a guard of honor upon his return to the team’s hospitality unit, a sign that the rumors are true and that the Austrian team could replace him with Liam Lawson as soon as the United States Grand Prix in four weeks.

Read also: Adieux déguisés, polémique du tour rapide… L’imbroglio Ricciardo dans le clan Red Bull

Upon arrival of the race, Ricciardo was overwhelmed with emotion. I am aware that this could be the end. And I was exhausted after the race. There was a mix of many emotions and fatigue. But the cockpit is a place where I have felt at home for years, and I just wanted to savor the moment. As a sort of farewell gift, Racing Bulls decided to stop him in the final laps, allowing him to set the fastest lap of the race, at the expense of Lando Norris. A final dance after a career made of ups and downs.

Success at Red Bull, difficulties at Renault and McLaren

When he joined Red Bull from Toro Rosso in 2014, many saw him as a future world champion. He quickly confirmed this status in his first season with the Austrian team by dominating his teammate Sebastian Vettel, a four-time reigning world champion, and competing with the untouchable Mercedes, even winning three races. However, the promises were not kept, due to a Red Bull that was not competitive enough to aim for the world title, and the arrival of a new teammate in 2016, who pushed him further. Despite some fine successes, such as in Monaco in 2018, the Australian decided to leave Red Bull in 2018 to join Renault. A transfer that distances him from the top positions and victories, an achievement he would only find once, at Monza in 2021 with McLaren.

Red Bull wants to make Ricciardo its reserve driver.

Removed from the Woking team in 2022, Ricciardo had found refuge at Red Bull as a reserve driver, and after successful tests, he had returned to F1 at AlphaTauri, now renamed Racing Bulls. According to the latest information, the Austrian team would like to offer him the reserve driver role again for next year if he is no longer a regular driver. However, Ricciardo reportedly turned down this offer, considering it pointless since his ambition to drive for Red Bull next year has vanished. When asked about the possibility of a return as a reserve driver, he simply answered, “No.” Last year, it made sense to keep a foot in the door, and of course, the goal was to return to Red Bull. But if I had to do it again, there wouldn’t really be a reason. I’m not going to revive my career.

Ricciardo is facing talented young drivers who are hungry

The Australian also mentioned his difficulties facing the new generation of drivers, younger and more dynamic, whom he struggles to keep up with. “I am 35 years old and I have still shown the speed I have had over the years, but it is obvious that it is more difficult for me to do so every weekend. Maybe it’s also a matter of age. It was certainly easier for me when I was 25 than at 35, but the competition is maybe just stronger. I think it’s probably true in all sports: simulators are improving, young drivers are younger and better prepared. They now have access to all the onboard data, so they can analyze everything and study everyone. The level has probably risen, and it may be more difficult for me to compete at this level every week.”

The former Red Bull driver seems to accept his fate and could have already raced his last race this weekend in Singapore. Nevertheless, he will leave behind the memory of a radiant smile and magnificent overtakings that have marked Formula 1 for several years.