Daniel Ricciardo opens up on being blindsided by Red Bull

Daniel Ricciardo has opened up about being blindsided by one of the most shocking moves pulled by an F1 team this season.

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted he once believed there was a real possibility he could replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull for the remainder of the 2024 season.

As F1 emerges from its mid-season break, the 35-year-old has come to terms with the fact that he may never return to the top of the Red Bull driver pack alongside Max Verstappen.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner confirmed during the summer break that Perez, 34, would remain Max Verstappen’s teammate for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, despite a recent string of woeful performances that have seen him tumble down to seventh on the driver’s standings.

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Perez had faced a mountain of pressure both from fans and his organisation after failing to finish better than seventh since May’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

He has also produced four Q1 eliminations despite being behind the wheel of the mythical Red Bull rocket ship that has taken his teammate to superstardom.

So when news that Perez would continue for Red Bull, a team that has been ruthless in cutting underperforming drivers in seasons past, took the paddock -- and most importantly Ricciardo -- by surprise.

Ricciardo has shown promise with a few moments of brilliance that reminded us of his heyday, but apparently hasn’t done enough compared to Perez to secure that coveted promotion.

With eight wins under his belt and now behind the wheel of a feeder team’s car, Ricciardo knows the only way to get back to the front of the pack again is with Red Bull.

Ricciardo has shown promise with a few moments of brilliance that reminded us of his heyday, but apparently hasn’t done enough compared to Perez to secure that coveted promotion.

Speaking ahead of the Zandvoort weekend, Ricciardo admitted he once had strong hopes of replacing Perez in the Netherlands race once F1 media outlets began sharpening their knives.

“I didn’t rule it out,” Ricciardo said.

“I thought maybe something could happen but I also didn’t expect it or get my hopes up. I was aware ‘maybe something changes,’ but I just thought: ‘Do what I’m doing, and if I get a call, I get a call.‘ I didn’t get a call but that’s what I mentally prepared myself for.”

While Ricciardo is still without a contract for next year, he has made it clear that he is still aiming to return to Red Bull.

The team’s tangled situation heading into 2025 has been further complicated by the presence of 22-year-old Liam Lawson, the young New Zealand driver who has been forced to sit in the garage this season after putting on some strong performances last season while Ricciardo was injured.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has confirmed that Lawson will “certainly” be driving one of the Red Bull or RB cars next year, meaning that one of Perez, Ricciardo, or Yuki Tsunoda will likely be left without a seat.

“I have every opportunity in front of me, and that’s the beauty, it’s up to me,” Ricciardo told Sky Sports F1.

“Yes, there is always pressure from myself, and that of the Red Bull system, but I know if I do a job, I will have a seat and somewhere to race.”

While Ricciardo is still without a contract for next year, he has made it clear that he is still aiming to return to Red Bull.

Both Ricciardo and Lawson tested the 2024 Red Bull car at Imola during the summer break.

Lawson, who impressed during his five-race stint as a substitute driver for Ricciardo last year at AlphaTauri, has been waiting on the sidelines this year as a reserve driver.

Ricciardo on the other hand knows exactly what to do to keep his name in the conversation, even if his prospects of keeping a seat are narrowing by the week.

“I got to see Liam drive the car last year, and I think he did a great job and is worthy of a seat on the grid. In a way, I’m happy for him.

“If he’s guaranteed a seat on the grid next year, that’s good because he is a deserving driver. What that means for me is probably a bit unknown but if I perform, they will find a spot for me somewhere!”

Despite the ongoing speculation, Red Bull could still make a driver change this season if they deem it necessary to secure their championship prospects.

Despite the ongoing speculation, Red Bull could still make a driver change this season if they deem it necessary to secure their championship prospects.

Although Verstappen currently leads Lando Norris by 78 points in the driver standings, Red Bull’s lead in the Constructors’ Championship over McLaren is narrower, with just 42 points dividing the pair.

Following a meeting with Red Bull head honchos after the Belgian Grand Prix, Perez stressed his commitment to the team and the need to focus on the next 10 races.

“It’s important for us to focus on the next 10 races,” Perez told Sky Sports F1.

“I said what I wanted to say about my future in Belgium. There’s a lot to win and lose. Head down. It’s been a good break for the team. We have been able to find out a lot of problems that we have been chasing lately.

“I want to deliver. I know I can turn around my season and I always say, my season will only matter on where I finish in Abu Dhabi. I have 10 races to turn it around, get some strong results, and finish the season on a high. That starts here.”