Ricciardo Responds To Speculations About Being Replaced After Singapore

F1
Thursday, 19 September 2024 at 18:00
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RB (VCARB) F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo responded after Ralf Schumacher suggested the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix might be his last F1 race.

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher suggested ahead of the 18th round of the season in Singapore that Liam Lawson would replace Daniel Ricciardo after this round.

Red Bull's Helmut Marko has made it clear that Liam Lawson will race for one of Red Bull's teams starting in the 2025 season. But could it be possible that he would jump in an F1 car already in 2024?

Daniel Ricciardo addressed the question about his potential replacement during the press day at Marina Bay Street Circuit. When asked if this weekend's Grand Prix would be his last race, he said:

"I don't think so, but I also don't want to stand here and be the lawyer. I would say no [it won't be], but we also know how this sport works, and people have not seen through a season before, so it is nothing new."

One of the latest examples of F1 drivers not making it until the end of the season is Logan Sargeant, who Williams replaced by Franco Colapinto following the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. Ricciardo continued:

"But I don't want to be like: 'Oh, 100% I'll bet my house on it.' I've been around too long."
"My first expectation is about next year, and obviously, I can't give away too many details, but in terms of a contract, our dates come into a window now."
"I do expect a yes or no for 2025, and I am aware of some talk and speculation about the rest of the season, but I expect a decision for next year."

While Ricciardo suggested he basically doesn't know anything about being replaced already in 2024, he also remains cautious about the words he chooses to use. He added:

"Crazy things have happened in this sport, and I'm not going to stand here and be too boastful and confident, but I believe I will be [racing],"