Final nail hammered in coffin of Daniel Ricciardo’s career

Daniel Ricciardo’s career is hanging by a thread and rumours are swirling following massive Red Bull announcement.

The final nail in Daniel Ricciardo’s hopes of a Red Bull promotion have been hammered in.

The world champion outfit on Wednesday morning confirmed widespread reports the team has extended the contract of Sergio Perez for a further two years through to the end of the 2026 season.

It is a bitter blow for the Australian to take and the pendulum has now swung towards his ambitions to remain on the Formula 1 grid.

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Perez’s contract was up for renewal at the end of the season but the extension will keep him at the world champions into a sixth campaign.

Ricciardo, 34, had never hid from the fact his ultimate goal was to take the No. 2 Red Bull seat in 2025 and Perez’s announcement leaves the veteran driver at a crossroads.

Many fans are all saying the same thing, that Ricciardo’s career — or at least his dream of ever challenging for a world championship — is over.

And that’s probably the end of Daniel Ricciardo’s #F1 career 🫡 https://t.co/bNpt8naqyd

— Laura (@LauraLeslieF1) June 4, 2024

daniel ricciardo just fell to his knees somewhere in australia https://t.co/5gihzcaxKp

— ays (@glamourdiaryyy) June 4, 2024

Having been brought in halfway through last season, Ricciardo was believed to be the main driver in line to take over from Perez and join world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull.

But after eight races, the pressure is on Ricciardo as he fights for his future not only at his Visa Cash App RB team, but in Formula 1.

Expected to have made short work of teammate Yuki Tsunoda, after eight races, the Japanese youngster holds a 7-1 lead in qualifying, a 6-1 record in races (both men had DNFs in China) and a 19-5 lead on the drivers championship table.

After failing to set the world on fire this year it was widely reported he was no longer being viewed as a “real alternative” to Perez.

Daniel Ricciardo and Visa Cash App RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

But the fact that Perez’s deal is for two-seasons, means Ricciardo will be 36 years’ old when he would possibly get another look at a seat with the Red Bull team.

Before Red Bull announced its new deal with Perez rumours began swirling that Ricciardo is likely to retain his seat at RB — but only because of his friendship with Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

BBC senior Formula 1 writer Andrew Benson wrote recently that Horner is committed to Ricciardo despite his Japanese teammate besting him this year.

That means Tsunoda may look elsewhere.

It also sends shockwaves across the rest of the grid with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz yet to secure a job for next year.

RB reserve driver Liam Lawson is also free to sign with rival teams if RB elects to retain Ricciardo and Tsunoda.

“At the moment, though, Ricciardo is protected by team principal Christian Horner, sources say, and is safe for now from being replaced by reserve Liam Lawson,” Benson wrote.

“It is not hard to imagine a Lawson and Ricciardo line-up at RB in 2025, though, if Horner does not shift his stance and Tsunoda moves elsewhere.”

Recently Tsunoda revealed he would consider offers from rival F1 teams if he’s not promoted to partner Verstappen.

He’s already been linked with moves to both Aston Martin and Haas.

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

Perez, meanwhile, was thought to be under more pressure than anyone in 2024 as half the drivers on the grid jostled for a chance to steal the Mexican driver’s job.

“I am really happy to commit my future to this great team,” said Perez, who has won six races in his career.

“It is a challenge like no other racing for Red Bull Racing, both on track and off track. I am delighted to be staying here to continue our journey together and contribute to this team’s great history for two more years.”

Perez has played second fiddle to Max Verstappen and is currently fifth in the standings, 62 points behind his teammate ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

Verstappen has indicated he will honour a contract that runs until 2028, despite interest from Mercedes following the fallout from allegations of sexual harassment involving team principal Christian Horner earlier this year.

Horner, who denies the allegations, was cleared in February of wrongdoing by an internal investigation carried out by Red Bull’s parent company.

Red Bull’s dominance has been threatened this season, with McLaren’s Lando Norris winning in Miami last month, while Charles Leclerc triumphed in Monaco.

“Now is an important time to confirm our line-up for 2025 and we are very pleased to continue working together with Checo (Perez),” said Horner.

“Continuity and stability are important for the team and both Checo and Max are a successful and robust partnership, securing our first-ever one-two finish for the team in the championship last year.”

— with AFP