Following his Red Bull recruitment as a reserve driver back in 2022, Daniel Ricciardo took over the permanent driving spot at Visa Cash App RB (formerly AlphaTauri) during the mid-2023 F1 season. The Aussie is now in his second season with RB, while Sergio Perez is in his last year with the Red Bull.
With Checo out of contract in 2025, it is only normal that the interesting question of ‘Is Daniel Ricciardo plotting to re-gain Red Bull seat next season?’ arises.
Daniel Ricciardo to switch from RB to Red Bull next season?
In a recent interview for Formula 1, Daniel Ricciardo, the former #2 at Red Bull, revealed that he has isolated himself from the rumors over a potential switch to his former seat at Red Bull.
As part of his approach, Ricciardo admitted that he’s taking things on a day-to-day basis and quoted, “It’s not something I think about because 12 months ago I wasn’t in this position, I didn’t know if I would be back in this position, so I just take it weekend after weekend.
“I don’t buy into any of the stories, if you will. I know what my position is in the team, and I know what, let’s say… some potential things that could happen if I do very well.
“But it’s like everything, any team you’re with, if you have a really strong season it could lead to maybe something different or increase your position where you currently are.
“It’s always our objective to do the best we can. I think whatever happens will happen or can happen. My objective is to drive this car as good as I can. Now, getting back into a car, I’m definitely not looking too far ahead.”
Pointing out the Red Bull move directly, he said, “Am I thinking about the Red Bull seat that you speak of? No. I know if I do some really good results maybe then that can present itself potentially.”
“There will always be some ‘whatever’ going around,” he further added. “I know my job and what I need to do. It’s through experience as well, the more you get caught up in that stuff that starts taking focus away from my job and that’s driving as fast as possible.”
“I know we do a lot of other things during the course of the race weekend but that’s why we’re here ultimately to push the car to the limit and try to make it as good as it can be. This weekend it’s something I look forward to, obviously being here racing at home”, he concluded, reflecting on the weekend’s Saudi Arabian GP.
These words of ‘mixed up’ meanings from the Australian comes at a time, when he is having a challenging start to the 2024 F1 season.
Daniel Ricciardo’s performance with RB so far
Daniel Ricciardo put on the AlphaTauri suits during the middle of the 2023 season after being called on short notice from his rank as the reserve driver. He joined the team just before the summer shutdown, after Nyck de Vries was axed by the team hierarchy.
The 34-year-old Aussie made his debut for AlphaTauri at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he clinched away a P13 finish. At the Belgian GP, he put forth a disappointing run, and ended up in the P19 spot in the result sheet. But, it all went downhill again for this Aussie, as he was sidelined by a crash during the FP3 session of the Dutch GP.
Daniel Ricciardo made his return to action at the U.S. Grand Prix, and raced out the remaining seven rounds of the season. During this time, he kept shifting between the unsatisfying ‘P15-to-P17’ spots. The Mexican GP witnessed his best run in 2023, as he crossed the chequered flag at P4. At the season’s end, he sat in the P17 spot at the 2023 Driver’s Standings, with a grand total of just 6 points.
| EVENT | POSITION |
| 2023 Hungarian GP | P13 |
| 2023 Belgian GP | P19 |
| 2023 United States GP | P15 |
| 2023 Mexican GP | P4 |
| 2023 Brazilian GP | P17 |
| 2023 Las Vegas GP | P15 |
| 2023 Abu Dhabi GP | P15 |
| 2024 Bahrain GP | P13 |
| 2024 Saudi Arabian GP | P16 |
As for 2024, Ricciardo has started the new season just as he finished 2023: finishing in the ‘P13-and-plus’ spots in the opening two GP races. In the current Driver’s Standing, he is positioned at the 16th spot with no point earned till now.
Daniel Ricciardo will take on Sergio Perez and even try to subtly shut out Yuki Tsunoda this weekend as both Red Bull teams face off at the Australian Grand Prix.
Is Ricciardo lying about keeping the ‘Red Bull 2025’ thoughts this season? Can he really get his driving seat back at Red Bull? Let us know your thoughts in the comments sections below.
