Daniel Ricciardo stays focused on track performance amid speculation about his future at Red Bull Racing.
Lydia Mee | Jun 27, 2024
May 4, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; RB driver Daniel Ricciardo (3) after the F1 Sprint Race at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
In Formula 1, the dynamic between drivers and team management often garners as much attention as the races themselves. Recently, Helmut Marko of Red Bull Racing highlighted a significant shift in the team’s strategy, declaring Sergio Perez as the definitive occupant of a seat once hoped to be filled by
“The shareholders have made it known that it is a junior team and we have to act accordingly. The goal was that he [Ricciardo] would be considered for Red Bull with exceptional performances. That seat now belongs to Perez, so that plan is no longer valid.”We will have to put a young driver in there soon. That would be Liam Lawson.”
This revelation came against the backdrop of the Austrian Grand Prix, where Ricciardo addressed Marko’s comments. With characteristic composure, he said, as quoted by Crash.net:
“I’ve become really good at not reading things. I actually didn’t know about it until I was told when I got here. Look… it’s… I don’t feel one way or another about it. I still know that the overriding thing in this sport is performance, and that’s it. That’s what will give me my best chance of staying here, I know that.
“It’s not going to be my smile or anything else. It’s the on-track stuff. I’ve obviously got a good opportunity, obviously I say until the summer break, I don’t think that’s a deadline, but that’s obviously where you look at for the first half of the season.
“I look back at Barcelona, and it’s hard to get excited about a 15th, but actually I was really happy with my race. So I would say it’s at least now two better weekends in a row. That’s what I’ve certainly had trouble doing this year, is having a kind of string of good results. Two is not enough of course, at least for where I want to be. Now we have two more ahead. I definitely have a chance to get into the summer break with some momentum. And on the Helmut stuff, yeah honestly, it’s fine. It doesn’t change what I’m going to do.”
Despite the speculative currents swirling around his career, Ricciardo channels his efforts towards improving his track performance. He continued: