Ricciardo makes clear F1 future assertion after RB axe.

Ricciardo makes clear F1 future assertion after RB axe. Read more

Daniel Ricciardo has ruled out continuing his Formula 1 career as a reserve driver following his latest release by Red Bull, acknowledging that age may have caught up with him. After being replaced by reserve driver Liam Lawson at AlphaTauri for the remaining six races of the 2024 season, Ricciardo reflected on his future in the sport, indicating that his time in F1 could be nearing an end.

Having been let go by McLaren at the end of the 2022 season, Ricciardo was offered a chance to remain in F1 by returning to Red Bull in a third driver role. Red Bull, the team with which Ricciardo secured seven wins between 2014 and 2018, brought him back as a reserve, offering him opportunities in simulator sessions to assist Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. His performances in these sessions, along with a strong showing in a Pirelli tyre test at Silverstone in July, helped him land a seat at AlphaTauri mid-season, replacing Nyck de Vries.

However, after being replaced by Lawson, Ricciardo now finds himself on the sidelines again, and this time, he seems less inclined to pursue another reserve role. In a recent interview, the 35-year-old Australian was asked if he would consider staying in the sport as a backup driver. He bluntly replied, “no,” explaining that while it made sense for him to keep a foot in the door at Red Bull, he no longer sees the point of continuing that path.

“It made a lot of sense to keep one foot in the door, with the big picture to try and get back in at Red Bull,” Ricciardo explained. “But if I were to do that again, there’s not really… I’m not going to restart my career. I’m also 35.”

Ricciardo further elaborated on how age may be affecting his performance. He admitted that while he still possesses the raw speed that helped him achieve success earlier in his career, it has become more challenging to perform at a high level consistently. “Maybe that is a little bit of an age thing,” he remarked. “It definitely came easier for me when I was 25 as opposed to 35.”

He also acknowledged the increasing competitiveness of the sport, noting that younger drivers today have access to better tools and resources, such as more advanced simulators and on-board footage, allowing them to improve at a faster rate than before. “The simulators are getting better, the kids are getting younger, and they have access to all on-boards now, so they can watch and study everyone,” Ricciardo said, recognizing the rising difficulty of competing against a new generation of talent.

Despite his desire to remain competitive, Ricciardo emphasized that he wants to leave F1 with positive memories. He is determined not to reach a point where his participation feels more like a “grind” than an enjoyable experience. “I’m happy that once upon a time I could do it, and that was a lot of fun,” he concluded, noting that he would prefer to avoid the frustration of consistently being eliminated in the early stages of qualifying.

In sum, Ricciardo seems at peace with the idea that his F1 journey may be coming to an end, preferring to bow out before the sport becomes more of a burden than a joy.