F1 rumour puts Daniel Ricciardo in his place at Red Bull

Just when it appeared things can’t get much worse for Daniel Ricciardo’s year, news has emerged he’s been put in his place.

Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo is not a “real alternative” to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull, according to a new report.

The Australian has failed to put pressure on Perez’s seat having been largely dominated by his Visa Cash App RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda this year.

Reports emerged last week Red Bull was deep in negotiations with Perez about a contract extension — a revelation that dashed Ricciardo’s hopes of a promotion to the senior Red Bull outfit in 2025.

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Now, according to German F1 site Motorsport Total, it has emerged that Tsunoda and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz were seen as more realistic options to partner Max Verstappen than Ricciardo — if Red Bull axed its Mexican driver.

The Spaniard is without a seat for next year after Lewis Hamilton’s shock move to Ferrari and his management is reported to have reached out to Red Bull about the team’s No. 2 seat following his victory at the Australian Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo.

However, Sainz has now been forced to turn towards other options he has on the table because of the swirling rumours it is just a matter of time until Red Bull’s extension with Perez is announced.

That extension comes despite Perez suffering a bad form slump that has seen him crash to fifth on the driver’s standings this season. He also had a qualifying disaster and crashed out at the Monaco Grand Prix on Monday morning.

The team has still been able to carry him because of Verstappen’s dominance and because it is smooth sailing inside the Red Bull garage while Perez remains no threat to the Dutch star.

It leaves Sainz as the biggest free agent for next year and it emerged last week a new contender has come to the party for his signature.

Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez. Photo: Sky Sports and Getty.

Autosport reported on Friday that Sainz has been engaged in talks with Williams over a deal for the 2025 season.

Sainz, ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, wouldn’t indulge on the latest rumours sweeping across the paddock, but said he’s putting all his options on the table before deciding what’s best for him.

“Behind the scenes I know more,” Sainz said.

“You have the rumours and everything, but don’t worry, I’m not going to let slip anything.

“I’m going to just put all the options on the table and make the right decision. I can just tell you that, once I open my mind up, everything will happen very quickly. It’s all about putting everything together that I feel like I need on my next new contract.”

If the rumours come to fruition, Sainz would partner with Alex Albon for the 2025 season and potentially beyond.

Williams currently sit equal last on the constructors standings with zero points to their name so far in 2024.

While they’re not expected to be a powerhouse again next season, the team is deep in planning for 2026 when regulation changes are enforced.

The team have an engine deal with Mercedes in place with team principal James Vowles saying the team is preparing for a big shift come 2026.

“The 2025 car is in the tunnel, it’s as simple as that,” Vowles said.

Carlos and Sergio Perez have been at the forefront of the rumour mill. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

“And you’re doing that to get ahead of yourself in time for actually 2026 and 2027. All the way through my messaging will continue to be the same: it’s not that I don’t care about these years (before 2026), but I want us to be successful in the future.

“To do that, I’ve got to make some pretty harsh decisions in order to transform the organisation.”

Ricciardo and Tsunoda were both hoping to win the seat Perez currently holds, but neither has set the world on fire this season.

The Perth-product is contracted with the Red Bull sister team until the end of the 2024 season, but may now be on the lookout for a new team if his dream of partnering Verstappen doesn’t materialise.

Ricciardo’s future took a twist earlier this year when Red Bull senior adviser Helmut Marko hinted the 34-year-old had a “long term” contract at Red Bull beyond 2024.

With Perez now appearing to have secured the prized drive, all bets may be off.