Sauber’s feelings towards signing Daniel Ricciardo as he risks losing RB seat after the Singapore Grand Prix

Follow us on Google Discover

There may only be seven races left during the 2024 Formula 1 season but the pressure is still on every team having plenty to play for.

Max Verstappen can sense Lando Norris and the rest of the field closing in on him at the top of the Drivers’ Championship.

McLaren have just taken the lead in the team standings for the first time in a decade with Ferrari hot on Red Bull’s heels.

The battle in the midfield is getting more exciting too with RB, Haas, Williams and Alpine all battling to finish 6^th and earn potentially millions more in prize money as a result.

It means every result counts and after Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto’s heroics for Williams in Baku, attention turns to the Singapore Grand Prix.

For Daniel Ricciardo, the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit may be one of the most of his career.

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

According to a report from The Race, Ricciardo’s immediate future with RB is set to be discussed between Singapore and the next race in Austin.

Liam Lawson is being lined up as his replacement for 2025 but there’s now a suggestion that he may be given the final six races of this season to warm up for his first full campaign.

Daniel Ricciardo’s RB future in doubt with Sauber the only remaining team with a vacant F1 seat for 2025

Talking about his immediate future to the press and what decision he expects to be made after Sunday’s race, Ricciardo said: “My first expectation is [it will be] about next year.

“That’s where I’m at, at the moment. I can’t give too many details, but in terms of [the] contract, our dates pretty much come into this window now.

“Basically, I do expect a yes or a no for 25. And then I’m aware of some talk and speculation about the rest of the season, but that, at the moment, I’m unaware of.

“The decision I expect is for next year. But obviously, crazy things have happened in this sport, so I’m also not going to stand here too confident that, ‘Oh yeah yeah, yeah’.

“I believe I will be [on the grid] but let’s see.”

The report from The Race suggests that if Ricciardo’s time comes to an end with RB either before Austin or at the end of the campaign, that may be it for his time in Formula 1.

Ricciardo is said not to have held talks with any other team and it doesn’t appear as though they’ve shown interest in him.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber from team principal to Audi future

Valtteri Bottas is the experienced candidate Sauber are considering for next year but they also have their eye on several youngsters.

Gabriel Bortoleto has held talks with Audi’s Mattia Binotto while Sauber’s reserve driver Theo Pourchaire may be in the conversation.

Franco Colapinto has impressed during his first two races with Williams and he will want to continue to turn heads on his first appearance on Singapore’s streets this weekend.

Will Buxton spotted something interesting during Daniel Ricciardo’s Singapore media duties

The driver’s market is one of the most interesting aspects of any Formula 1 season although at times it’s taken a back seat this year due to the amazing action on the track.

There’s still a title race to decide and even the teams near the back of the grid are aware of how important every point could be.

Journalist Will Buxton noticed something interesting around Ricciardo’s media interviews on Thursday that may point to where his future lies.

Ralf Schumacher believes Ricciardo will take part in his last F1 race in Singapore and if that’s the case, it’s a disappointing way for an incredible career in the sport to end.