Ricciardo Faces F1 Exit With No Regrets After 2024
Sep.25 - Daniel Ricciardo is not interested in keeping his Formula 1 career alive by reverting to reserve driver duties.
When he was dropped by McLaren in 2022, Red Bull leapt to the rescue and appointed the 35-year-old Australian reserve driver for the brand's two F1 teams.
He then returned to racing action with the junior squad RB mid last year, with the hope of returning to the main Red Bull Racing lineup in the future.
However, it is almost certain that Singapore last weekend was Ricciardo's last race, with Red Bull officials set to make his ousting official imminently.
"No," Ricciardo declared when asked if he might accept another stint as a reserve driver.
"Obviously, last year it made a lot of sense to keep one foot in the door and obviously the big picture was to try and get back at Red Bull. But I think if I was to do that again, there's not really much point.
"I'm not going to restart my career."
Ricciardo, an 8-time grand prix winner, was highly emotional after Singapore's demanding night race on Sunday, but he admits that his age may have contributed to his inability to remain consistently competitive.
"It's obviously been evident that it's been harder for me to show it every weekend. And maybe that is a little bit of an age thing," he said.
"I think it definitely came easier for me when I was 25 as opposed to 35, but also maybe the competition is just increasing. So maybe it's just that the level's increased and it's probably a tall task for me to fight at that level week in, week out."
Ricciardo said he is determined to face the end of his F1 career with dignity rather than "looking back and feeling sad".
"I can't be disappointed with what I achieved. I'm happy that, once upon a time, I could do it and that was a lot of fun," he said.
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Being uninterested in doing a reserve role again is fully understandable & justifiable in his career situation, & he can't really blame anyone but himself for not getting a better exit.
Edit: Finally official as of today.
30+ Million in the bank , no worries sport
At last this is one saga that can be laid to rest!
The next sagas we need to lay to rest is the Checko Perez one, and also the Mick Schumacher one!
Good grief, the journo's will have to find some real news!
Journos continually bring up about RIC's 2014 season the 3 wins , but he didn't win them by outlcassing the 2 Mercs. In each of those wins something happened to both Mercs leaving RIC to pick up the wins.
And continually bring up about being this great overtaker but he only did it with the Red Bull car. Not with Alpine or McLarden or RB.
He was fortunate to last as long in F1 as he did.
You can't put him in the same class as Alonso, Hamilton , Vettel.,Max. Mark Webber was better than RIC.
He kept hanging on with this idea that he could become WDC .
I'm sure NZ fans are glad to see him go and Liam Lawson gets his chance.
Liam has been waiting for a chance and has to prove himself in short order.
Daniel wasn't going anywhere and it's a pity his fans have been giving Lawson a hard time.
As a past Ricciardo fan, and now a Piastri fan, it is sad to hear that Ricciardo's fans have been giving Liam Lawson a hard time. I have personally not been witness to it, but people should recognise that, in the Doc's words, Daniel has lost his "killer instinct". In the past he was a committed performer, but lately his commitment has waned. Time to go!
I believe Liam Lawson will do a great job, and very possibly challenge Yuki with good results.
F1 seems to be having a clear out, long overdue, who's next?
with all the 25yr ish young guns , f1 wont be having many new drivers now for the next ten years, only Alonso and Laura left, one trying 100% every race, the other, well you know......Nico , ohhhh Nicooo
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