With just 7 more races left in the 2024 F1 season, VCARB is yet to confirm their final seat for 2025. Last week, there were several reports suggesting that there is going to be a change in the team after Singapore. This rumour escalated when Daniel Ricciardo started to tear up when talking about his near future.
After the Singapore GP, Daniel Ricciardo took a while to get out of his car. It seemed as though he was just taking his time to savour the moment. Later, during the post-race show, Ricciardo was asked why he took time before getting out of the car. This is when he started to tear up.
Daniel Ricciardo tears up after Singapore GP
Considering that the Singapore GP may have been his last F1 race, after the race, Ricciardo just wanted a moment in his car to soak it all in. He has spent almost 15 years in F1 and this could be his final time getting out of an F1 car after a race.
He said: “Possibly, I have to acknowledge that (possibility of Singapore being his last race). It’s been a little bit of a race-by-race situation and I would have obviously loved the weekend to have gone better. It didn’t, so I have to prepare for this maybe being it.
Danny Ric ❤️
An emotional Daniel Ricciardo speaks after the #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/53hD09HZ4z
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 22, 2024
“I do feel, let’s say, at peace with it,” added Ricciardo, who came back to F1 with RB midway through 2023 after being dropped by McLaren. “At some point, it’ll come for all of us… I think also, I tried to get back into Red Bull, it didn’t work out, so then I also have to say, ‘Okay, what else am I ultimately doing here and trying to achieve?’… Let’s say maybe the fairytale ending didn’t happen, but I also have to look back on what it’s been. Fourteen or so years and I’m proud.
After initially leaving Red Bull after 2018, Ricciardo went on to drive for Renault and then McLaren. However, he was not able to perform well with either of these teams. Hence after 2022, Ricciardo came back to the Red Bull squad as a reserve driver. That year, he replaced Nyck de Vries who was underperforming. The hope was for him to go back to Red Bull Racing after proving that he was good enough. But this didn’t turn out as planned.
Red Bull wants younger drivers in their lineup
The VCARB team is meant to help Red Bull’s junior drivers gain some experience in Formula 1. If and when they become deserving, they will be promoted to the senior Red Bull Racing team.
Daniel Ricciardo is a driver with 14 years of experience in F1. While he has shown some impressive performances during his time, it is no secret that his results have not been as expected in recent years. So it makes sense for Red Bull to replace him with someone who is much younger and more potential.
Quite the reception for Danny Ric back at RB 🤜🤛#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/yn39km1ba2
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 22, 2024
Last year during the Dutch Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo suffered a wrist injury after which Liam Lawson stepped in for the next 5 races. His performance in those 5 races was beyond impressive. His 9th-place finish in Singapore was the team’s best race result of the season at the time.
Initially, it was speculated that Liam Lawson would replace Ricciardo after the 2024 season. However, recent reports have suggested that the Singapore GP will be his last race in F1. While it will be difficult to see him go, it creates space for a more young and up-and-coming driver – Liam Lawson. It will be exciting to see what Lawson can do in VCARB in the future.
What are your thoughts on Daniel Ricciardo potentially leaving F1? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.
