‘My understanding’… Craig Slater shares whether there’s a ‘way back’ for Daniel Ricciardo in Formula 1

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For the third time in as many years, Daniel Ricciardo has found himself out of a drive in Formula 1 after his departure from Visa Cash App RB was confirmed.

Back in 2022, the Aussie was let go by McLaren after agreeing to terminate his contract a year early to make way for Oscar Piastri. Ricciardo then re-joined Red Bull after Christian Horner signed him as their reserve driver for 2023, which proved to be key for his return later that year with AlphaTauri in place of Nyck de Vries.

But after just two races, the 35-year-old found himself out of the car again; but not from a sacking. Ricciardo sustained a broken wrist at Zandvoort and was replaced by Liam Lawson for five races.

The Aussie returned to his seat in Austin and was retained by the team, now known as RB, for 2024. This season, Ricciardo has come under increased pressure after months of speculation suggested that he would be dropped in favour of Lawson.

Ricciardo was visibly emotional after the Singapore Grand Prix as it was expected to be his final race with RB. Sure enough, it was announced on Thursday that the Aussie would be out of the team, with Lawson getting his seat for the final six races of the season.

Craig Slater ‘understands’ Daniel Ricciardo is ‘finishing as a driver’ in Formula 1

Following the news, many have speculated as to where the Aussie will end up next. Giedo van der Garde suggested Ricciardo should ‘start making television’ due to his personality, while Red Bull have offered an ambassador role to the 35-year-old.

Ricciardo rejected Red Bull’s offer for him to return as a reserve driver as he has no intention of going back to that role given his age. With his huge popularity around the world, many fans will be hoping to see Ricciardo back in F1 in the future.

But speaking on Sky Sports F1, Craig Slater understands that not to be the case and that the race in Singapore marks the end of Ricciardo’s F1 career.

“It is worth clearing this up I think, my understanding is that, although Red Bull are not saying anything officially that there is no way back for him,” he said.

“People will have seen online some speculation that maybe, he might come in for Sergio Perez at the Red Bull senior team to maybe even just finish the season in Abu Dhabi, to have a final goodbye.

“I understand that not to be a realistic prospect. He is finishing as a driver now, that’s my understanding.”

Daniel Ricciardo has 257 Formula 1 race starts across 14 seasons

Ricciardo made his F1 debut at the 2011 British Grand Prix with backmarker HRT and raced with the Spanish outfit for the rest of the season before joining Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso the following year.

READ MORE: The best moments of Daniel Ricciardo’s career in Formula 1

Spending two seasons with the Faenza squad, Ricciardo was promoted to the main Red Bull team in 2014 after Mark Webber’s retirement. The Aussie won three races and finished third in his first year with the team, beating four-time champion and teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Ricciardo left Red Bull for Renault in 2019 and had two solid seasons for the midfield outfit, especially in 2020 where he finished fifth in the standings with two third-place finishes.

His move to McLaren, while he claimed his eighth career win at the Italian Grand Prix in 2021, was a struggle overall. While it may have ended in disappointing fashion, 257 race starts, eight wins, three pole positions and 32 podiums will go down as a fantastic F1 career for Ricciardo.