SINGAPORE, Sept 19 (Askume) – Daniel Ricciardo said he was unaware of the decision to replace him, amid speculation that Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix could be his last race in Formula One.
When the 35-year-old Australian was asked about rumours that Red Bull-owned RB could replace him with New Zealand’s Liam Lawson, he focused on 2025.
“My first hope is next year, so that’s where I’m at right now,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“I can’t go into too much detail, but contract-wise, our dates are now almost at the same time, so basically I expect 2025 to be a yes or no.
“I am aware of some discussion and speculation about the remainder of the season but at this point I don’t know if I will be replaced (by someone else),” the eight-time champion said.
“So I hope a decision will be made next year.”
There are rumours in the paddock that Lawson, 22, could join the team to fulfil the terms of his contract with Red Bull or risk losing him.
Last season, when Australian Ricciardo was injured, Lawson replaced Ricciardo in five races and scored two points, finishing ninth in Singapore.
nothing new
When Ricciardo was asked directly if there was a clause in his contract that Singapore could be his last race, he replied:
“I don’t think so, but I don’t want to stand here and be a lawyer. Look, I’m going to say no, but we know how this game works. People have never seen a season like this before. “So that’s what’s going to happen…there’s nothing new about it.
“So I don’t even want to say, ‘Oh no, 100 percent (safe), I’ll bet my house on it,’ I’ve been in this space for a long time.”
Ricciardo acknowledged that “some noises” have changed since the August break and admitted the season could have been better.
The Australian bounced back from a difficult stint at McLaren last year to score 12 points from 17 races, while his Japanese teammate Yuki Tsunoda has 22 points.
Tsunoda has been confirmed for 2025, a season in which Ricciardo had hoped to return to Red Bull’s senior team alongside three-time world champion Max Verstappen, replacing Mexican Sergio Perez.
Separately, Verstappen told reporters that his friend and former team-mate Ricciardo should not regret anything.
“It’s never a good situation to be in,” the championship leader said. “Sometimes, at certain points in your career, things don’t go the way you want, but you still achieve more than anyone could have imagined.
“Even if it’s the last game or whatever, he can still look back and see amazing things that not a lot of people achieved.
“Maybe do something else with his life. Why not? More sports series, maybe just relax on the farm and have a good time. I mean, he’s a great guy.”
