Latest Formula 1 whisper another setback for Daniel Ricciardo

With Formula 1 rumours flying thick and fast, the latest whisper about Red Bull doesn’t bode well for Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Scuderia AlphaTauri during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on August 25, 2023 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

Another day, another rumour that doesn’t bode well for Daniel Ricciardo.

Just a day after reports emerged that McLaren star Lando Norris is “definitely a candidate” to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull, another Norris rumour has emerged.

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Ever since his surprise return to the grid with AlphaTauri and positive endorsement from his former boss and team principal Christian Horner, Ricciardo has been linked with the Red Bull hot seat alongside Verstappen.

That is largely because of the perceived poor form of Mexican Sergio Perez alongside the Dutch reigning world champion.

But the Australian’s hopes appear to be fading over a series of recent factors.

Former McLaren teammates Lando Norris (left) and Daniel Ricciardo, plus (inset) Max Verstappen. Photos: Getty Images

As is typically the case in Formula 1, driver rumours start flying after the turn of the year at about the same speed as Verstappen’s RB19 under DRS.

On Thursday, it was former world champion Nico Rosberg who couldn’t resist dropping a little rumour bomb in a chat with Sky Sports.

“Where’s he (Norris) going?” replied Rosberg, the 2016 world champion with Mercedes.

“Next year already, I hear there’s a switch coming.”

Norris is contracted to McLaren until 2025, while Perez has a deal with Red Bull through the end of next season.

Norris has also been raving about the improvement of his McLaren team over the course of this year.

Sergio Perez is rumoured to be on his way out at Red Bull. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

But contracts in professional sport are fickle and it only takes a payout here or a handshake there to quickly change a landscape where only 20 drivers can secure a seat.

Norris is said to be close to Verstappen, with the Dutchman quoted as saying “we talk about it” in terms of a match-up between the pair.

“But he’s contracted to McLaren for a long time,” Verstappen added. “We’ll see what happens in the future.”

can someone love me like lando norris loves mclaren pls pic.twitter.com/40h1ehwJPP

— andy (@iiiuminateandy) September 5, 2023

🗣️ | Lando Norris: “If there’s any time to believe we’re getting close to winning races, it’s now!” 👀

[via: @McLarenF1]#F1#Formula1#McLaren#ItalianGPpic.twitter.com/CYEumtCiOB

— McLaren F1 News 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇦🇺 (@TheMcLarenZone) September 6, 2023

Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has hinted a number of times at replacing Perez, with the “inconsistent” Mexican seemingly destined to leave - and now it appears it is Norris who has the inside running for the seat ahead of Ricciardo.

Marko also previously stated it is “unfortunate” Norris has such a long contract.

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes either way, Perez’s “days at Red Bull are numbered” and a “separation agreement” is in place that could see him depart early.

Those rumours fuelled speculation Ricciardo could return to partner Verstappen at Red Bull, the team that helped the Aussie claim seven of his eight Grand Prix wins.

Horner is on record as stating Ricciardo is a genuine option to replace Perez provided he proves he’s still got it with AlphaTauri.

Ricciardo’s broken hand suffered at the Dutch Grand Prix is all the more unfortunate as he sits on the sidelines and loses valuable races to show he still has what it takes.

Max Verstappen 🏆 Lando Norris pic.twitter.com/DMffMXNvBv

— ¹ ⁴ (@norst4pp33n) September 6, 2023

Max Verstappen says he and Lando Norris have “talked about” becoming team-mates later in their #Formula1 careers:

“We talk about it. But he's contracted to #McLaren for a long time. We'll see what happens in the future.”

[via: @SkySportsF1] #F1#RedBull#ItalianGrandPrixpic.twitter.com/YCC0LjoWre

— McLaren F1 News 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇦🇺 (@TheMcLarenZone) August 29, 2023

But at 34 years of age, Ricciardo’s hopes of replacing Perez at the world champion team appear to be fading, particularly given Marko’s recent comments on the 23-year-old Norris.

“He is definitely a candidate for us,” Marko said on ServusTV of the young Brit. “At Toro Rosso, we had already reached an agreement with him at the time, until his manager realised there was an option for a McLaren contract.

“In terms of youth and speed, he would suit us very well. Sergio, on the other hand, is already over 30 and is expecting his fourth child.

“So he also has other interests, so you have to see what happens next. Perez is not consistent, he is not always focused.”

- with The Sun