Ricciardo concedes grim reality as career hits crossroads

Daniel Ricciardo has added to speculation that this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix could be his last in F1 after
New Zealand driver Lawson has been promised a full-time drive in 2025 within the Red Bull Racing family.
As Red Bull’s reserve driver, Lawson has been waiting in the wings following his impressive stint in place of Ricciardo when he broke his hand at last year’s Dutch Grand Prix.
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Daniel Ricciardo in action for RB. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lawson’s contract reportedly requires Red Bull to offer him a race seat for next year by the end of September or make him a free agent.
In Azerbaijan last weekend, Red Bull supremo Helmut Marko suggested that sister team RB’s plans for its second seat would be finalised before Singapore and announced soon after.
With Sergio Perez and Yuki Tsunoda extending with their respective teams during the season, Ricciardo is now the only one of Red Bull’s four current drivers without a contract for next season.
Rumours have also intensified that the team will waste no time in promoting Lawson to Ricciardo’s seat.
According to USA-based news site AutoRacing1, a second clause in Lawson’s contract guarantees him a minimum number of grand prix starts this season.
This is believed to be either five or six — with six grand prix weekends remaining in 2024 after Singapore.
Liam Lawson scored points in last year’s Singapore GP while filling in for the injured Aussie. Getty
Speaking to The Race, Ricciardo confirmed he is awaiting a decision on his contract for next year, though he was unsure what was going to play out over the remaining races.
“My first expectation is [it will be] about next year,” he said.
“That’s where I’m at at the moment.
“I can’t give too many details, but in terms of contract, our dates pretty much come into this window now.
“Basically, I do expect a yes or a no for 2025.
“I’m aware of some talk and speculation about the rest of the season. That, at the moment, I’m unaware of.
RB drivers Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo. Mark Thompson via Getty Images
“The decision I expect is for next year, but obviously crazy things have happened in this sport, so I’m also not going to stand here too confident.
“I believe I will be [on the grid], but let’s see.”
Asked point-blank if Singapore could be the last time we see the Australian lineup on the grid, Ricciardo said nothing in the sport is guaranteed.
“I don’t think so, but I also don’t want to stand here and be the lawyer,” he told ESPN.
“I would say no, but also we know how this sport works. People have not seen through a season before. It’s nothing new in some ways.
“I don’t want to also be, ‘Oh, 100 per cent, I’ll bet all my house on it’. I’ve been around too long.”
After 16 rounds, Ricciardo is positioned 14th in the drivers’ standings with 12 world championship points.
Practice for the Singapore Grand Prix begins on Friday afternoon before its lights out at 10pm on Sunday (AEST).