Daniel Ricciardo has insisted his dream of a Pink Bull swan music is just not over but regardless of the workforce renewing Sergio Perez’s deal earlier within the week.
It was a bitter blow to the 34-year-old Australian, who had hopes of pushing his approach again into the seat he vacated in 2019 when he left for Renault.
Each qualifying session and race from the 2024 FIA Components One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Begin Your Free Trial Right this moment >
After two years at Renault and one other two at McLaren, Ricciardo had hoped to push his approach again into the highest workforce to companion Max Verstappen, and had been placing stress on the Mexican in 2023.
However whereas Perez hasn’t set the world on fireplace and is at the moment ranked fifth within the driver’s championship in 2024, his 4 podiums in eight races forward of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend have been sufficient to persuade Pink Bull to stay with him for an additional two years.
It’s a bitter tablet for Ricciardo, who’s six months Perez’ senior and faces a struggle to even maintain his seat along with his Visa Money App RB workforce after a horror season.
Anticipated to have made quick work of teammate Yuki Tsunoda, after eight races, the Japanese teenager holds a 7-1 lead in qualifying, a 6-1 report in races (each males had DNFs in China) and a 19-5 lead on the drivers championship desk.
Not solely that however Ricciardo has been seen as not a “actual various” to Perez and brutally, he’s not getting any youthful.
Whereas Fernando Alonso at 42 and Lewis Hamilton at 39 are older than Ricciardo, they’ve each gained a number of world championships, a feat the Aussie hasn’t achieved.
However ever the optimist, Ricciardo doesn’t consider he gained’t ever get an opportunity in Pink Bull’s prime workforce.
“It doesn’t shock me,” Ricciardo advised Sky F1 about Perez’ new deal.
“I don’t assume it modifications something for me. Clearly, my objective, sooner or later, I’d like to be again there [at Red Bull]. However I additionally know that my season hasn’t been spectacular. I had a spectacular second I feel in Miami, however in any other case, I’ve been a bit up and down.
“And look, I’ve been doing this lengthy sufficient, I do know myself that I need to be doing higher.
“I feel already after the primary few races, I used to be simply very centered on attempting to do essentially the most I can right here. And thru that, then I’ll have possibly essentially the most management over my future.
“So up till now, yeah, I haven’t in all probability been superior sufficient, however equally, I’m completely happy being right here and simply being again within the Pink Bull household.
“So we’ll maintain charging ahead and yeah, I don’t assume now it means it should by no means occur. However we’ll see.”
Because the Pink Bull door closes, Ricciardo is trying to maintain onto his place within the sport with younger New Zealander Liam Lawson ready within the wings.
As Tsunoda has schooled the veteran Aussie in 2024, with a fourth positioned end within the Miami dash race the one factors he’s needed to present for his efforts, hypothesis has been rife that Lawson is poised to exchange Ricciardo.
Whereas RB administration has been optimistic in regards to the line up, F1 followers know that might simply as simply be the kiss of loss of life for the star.
Nevertheless, Ricciardo’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda has been linked to a transfer to Aston Martin or Haas, even admitting he’d think about different affords if he wasn’t promoted at Pink Bull — which clearly he hasn’t been.
It leaves Ricciardo in limbo within the sport, however the Aussie has supplied a practical response about his future within the sport.
“The mindset hasn’t modified,” he mentioned by way of Speedcafe.
“We’re not midway via the season but however we’re pretty into it now.
“I’ve had one end result which I used to be actually, actually pleased with, after which others which have been possibly much less so.
“So I simply, I suppose, maintain myself in all probability accountable for not doing something too spectacular.
“If you’re clearly attempting to struggle for a prime seat, it’s worthwhile to be doing a little fairly superior issues.
“That’s why I say I don’t assume it means it should by no means occur,” he added of a doable Pink Bull Racing return.
“It’s nonetheless a spot I’d love to complete my profession, however clearly within the quick time period that’s not going to occur.
“So mindset smart, that was nonetheless sort of an finish objective.
“Proper now, I’m right here … I must do properly and get some extra factors, and I’m completely happy doing that right here.
“The workforce is doing job to assist me out with that, so it’s simply as much as me.”
