September 19th 2024.
It seems that Daniel Ricciardo's time in Formula One may be coming to an end once again. The upcoming Singapore Grand Prix could very well be his final race, as the RB driver himself has admitted. There have been talks of Liam Lawson, a young and promising driver, taking his place on the team.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Ricciardo's former teammate Max Verstappen has encouraged him to reflect on his career with pride. Verstappen even suggested that Ricciardo take some time off and relax on his farm, a place that the Australian driver holds dear to his heart.
At the beginning of the year, many predicted that Ricciardo would secure a seat back at Red Bull in 2025 if he performed well for the team's junior squad. However, the eight-time race winner has not been able to recapture the same magic that made him one of the best drivers on the grid just a few years ago. As a result, it now seems highly likely that he will leave the sport for the second time in three seasons.
Red Bull recently extended Sergio Perez's contract and plans to promote Lawson from reserve driver, leaving no room for Ricciardo. There is also speculation that Lawson could join a rival team if Red Bull does not give him five races this year. While Ricciardo believes this is unlikely, he did not completely rule out the possibility of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix being his last race.
The 34-year-old driver shared that his focus is on next year and he is expecting a decision from Red Bull regarding his contract. However, he also acknowledged the rumors about being replaced after the Singapore Grand Prix and stated that he is currently unaware of any such plans.
As for Lawson, if he is indeed confirmed for 2025, there will only be one seat available on the grid for next year at bottom team Sauber. However, it is not believed that Ricciardo is being considered for that seat.
With the possibility of his F1 career coming to an end, Verstappen has praised his former teammate and his impressive achievements. He believes that even if this is Ricciardo's last race, he can look back at a successful career that many can only dream of. Verstappen even suggested that Ricciardo explore other racing series or take some time off to relax on his farm, highlighting his well-known personal life in the Australian outback.
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