Jack Aitken tells 11-point driver must do something ‘extraordinary’ to save his F1 seat

Follow us on Google Discover

There are a handful of Formula 1 drivers on the grid who know that every session they take part in might impact their long-term future in the sport.

With just seven seats left to fill on the grid for 2025 and only half of the manufacturers in the paddock still participating in the driver’s market, the smallest mistake could end up making all of the difference.

READ MORE: Every confirmed driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season so far

Speaking on The Chequered Flag Podcast, one-time Formula 1 driver Jack Aitken has given his verdict on who might survive to earn a contract for next season and who may be forced to give way.

A handful of drivers not currently on the grid – such as Oliver Bearman and Kimi Antonelli – are expected to step up from Formula 2, which would force at least two drivers out of the sport entirely.

Williams driver Logan Sargeant appears to be in trouble, while Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu had another weekend to forget in Austria with his future on the grid also in doubt.

However, Aitken believes that for Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo to be rewarded with a new contract for 2025, he now needs to do something ‘extraordinary’.

The 35-year-old Australian is at least expected to see out the rest of the campaign with Red Bull’s sister team.

But whether he’s seen as a long-term solution within the Red Bull set-up is another matter.

READ MORE: Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Jack Aitken thinks Daniel Ricciardo needs to be ‘extraordinary’ to earn 2025 F1 contract

Talking about Ricciardo’s future and his 9^th place finish in Austria, Aitken said: “I don’t think it’s enough at this point. I mean he did a good job today, but as we well know, the Red Bull family don’t consider good to be good enough.

“He needs to do something extraordinary at this point.”

Commentator Ben Edwards added: “I think he needs a very special Silverstone to stay in the game, he needs a magical Silverstone!”

Aitken replied: “It is a track that he likes though, isn’t it? He’s done well there traditionally, he grew up racing in British series and in British F3 and then he’s generally gone well there, so you never know.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Visa Cash App RB F1 Team from team principal to Red Bull relationship

Daniel Ricciardo’s 2025 Formula 1 chances assessed

Given there are only a limited number of available seats on the grid for next season, Ricciardo isn’t flush with options right now.

If he’s going to be driving in Formula 1 next year then his best bet is to stay with Visa Cash App RB.

Outperforming Yuki Tsunoda over the coming races will immediately boost his chances of being handed a new contract as he did in Austria where he added another couple of points to his tally to bring his total for the season up to 11.

However, the issue for Ricciardo is Liam Lawson who Red Bull seem reticent to lose.

Lawson has a clause in his current deal that would allow him to leave for free if he’s not given a race seat next year and Audi have previously been suggested as an option for the young Kiwi.

At one point, it looked like Ricciardo’s chances of earning a seat elsewhere in the paddock were very slim.

However, Will Buxton now believes that Ricciardo might be emerging as an option for one of Visa Cash App RB’s rivals.

It would give Red Bull a very tricky decision to make if both Ricciardo and Lawson are offered contracts by other teams.