Red Bull have ‘started exploring’ whether they can place Daniel Ricciardo at rival F1 team

Follow us on Google Discover

Daniel Ricciardo doesn’t appear to be in contention to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull. The Australian simply hasn’t shown the consistency required at junior team RB.

Ricciardo was a ‘dead-cert’ to replace Perez at the start of the year, but he’s failed to meet expectations. He’s produced a couple of spectacular performances, finishing P4 in the Miami Sprint and qualifying fifth in Canada – RB’s best Saturday performance of the season.

But those displays have been overshadowed by his mediocre showings elsewhere. Indeed, Ricciardo has only finished in the points in two Grands Prix this year, while teammate Yuki Tsunoda has done so six times.

That’s why Tsunoda is nine points ahead (20 vs 11) before this weekend’s Hungarian GP. The Japanese driver has yet to come home higher than P7 but he’s enjoyed a much more stable campaign.

Perez is very much on shaky ground as the summer break approaches. He’s fallen 137 points behind Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen after failing to finish in the top six at any of the last six races.

But if the Mexican is to lose his seat – as contractual mechanisms allow – a younger option is likely to get the opportunity. Liam Lawson is the favourite to replace Perez, while Tsunoda also has a slim chance.

Red Bull looking at ‘soft landing’ for Daniel Ricciardo

According to The Race, Ricciardo is more focused on keeping his RB drive right now. Even if Lawson goes to Red Bull, he could come under pressure from a couple of academy talents.

Isack Hadjar is currently leading the Formula 2 championship, while Ayumu Iwasa is impressing in Super Formula. Red Bull’s shareholders want RB to showcase youth again, and so the team have had to give Ricciardo the ‘hurry up’.

They won’t be able to justify keeping him on if he doesn’t improve in the second half of the season. ‘There are even suggestions’ that they’re planning for a future without him.

In what would be a surprising turn of events, Red Bull are looking into a ‘soft landing’ for Ricciardo. They’ve ‘started exploring’ whether they can place him at another F1 team, should they opt to change their line-up.

F1 team CEO set to reject chance to sign Daniel Ricciardo

Ordinarily, a team would just cut a driver loose if he underperforms. That’s the ruthless nature of Formula 1.

But in the case of Ricciardo, Red Bull may feel a certain sense of loyalty. He came through the Toro Rosso ranks at the start of his career, and won seven races with the top team after his promotion.

The question is whether they can find an interested suitor. Ricciardo has reportedly held talks with Williams, who have a potential vacancy next to Alex Albon – another who lost his place within the Red Bull stable.

But the Sauber/Audi route looks to be closed off. CEO Andreas Seidl is seemingly against signing Ricciardo, having been a driving force in the decision to sack him at McLaren in 2022.