Daniel Ricciardo refuses to rule out replacing Sergio Perez at Dutch GP
Daniel Ricciardo has been linked with the Red Bull seat since the start of the 2024 F1 season.
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Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez (via IMAGO)
Red Bull began the season with one of the strongest pairs on the F1 grid. However, Sergio Perez has seemingly hit a wall as his performances have slumped drastically allowing rivals McLaren and Ferrari to catch up. This has led to rumors spooling around the paddock regarding the Mexican’s stay at Red Bull being questioned. Subsequently, adding fuel to the existing fire, Daniel Ricciardo has hinted at a potential move to the Austrian giant after the summer break.
Daniel Ricciardo was sacked by McLaren for the 2023 season, which left the Aussie as a free agent on the driver market. However, his absence from the grid did not last long as he joined Alphatauri (RB) last season and has been aiding the Faenza-based team to score points regularly. With ambitions of joining Red Bull again, Sergio Perez‘s slump has attracted rumors hinting at a possible reunion.
Meanwhile, after the race in Belgium, the former race winner reckoned that he does not know what car he will drive at the Dutch GP, hinting at the possibility of moving back to Milton Keynes.
I don't know what car I will have in the Netherlands, but I'm sure I will have a car. I know that some races ago some said that I would not even arrive in Zandvoort, but I have confidence that I will race.Daniel Ricciardo said in an interview with Sky Sports F1
Ricciardo asserted that while people reckoned that he would not be on the grid a few races ago. He has emerged as one of the leading candidates for the call-up to the senior team. This led him to admit that he would race in Zandvoort but did not know the overalls he would be draping the next race weekend.
Daniel Ricciardo sympathizes with Sergio Perez amidst his sacking rumors
Red Bull are known for their lack of patience and have sacked multiple drivers throughout their history. Moreover, the Belgian GP weekend was possibly a do-or-die for the Mexican who started the race on the front row but finished a lonely P7.
While Ricciardo would be delighted to get a seat at Red Bull, the Australian admitted that it is not a nice feeling what Perez is currently going through.
Look, I get it. It’s obviously… it can be a bit tiring. I’ve been there. I was about to say I’ve been there and it’s, yeah, it’s not always fun.Daniel Ricciardo said in an interview as quoted by Motorsport Week
Ricciardo claimed that such rumors are tiring for any driver as they have to constantly work against such speculations every weekend. He further confessed that he had felt that gutting feeling earlier and claimed it to be not fun.
Despite sympathizing with his rival, the Australian is reportedly set for a private test by Red Bull. Thus, the 34-year-old would be keen to leave a good impression and get a car finally able to win races under his belt.
In case you missed it:
- Damon Hill pinpoints two reasons potentially behind George Russell’s Belgian GP disqualification.
- Sergio Perez gives blunt response over staying at Red Bull despite disappointing Belgian GP
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Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)