Daniel Ricciardo has always been one of the sport's most charismatic figures, known just as much for his infectious grin as his raw talent behind the wheel. But as the 2024 season rolls on, whispers in the paddock are getting louder—is this the end of Ricciardo's F1 journey?
Ricciardo's career has been a rollercoaster. With eight Grand Prix wins to his name, his first coming in Montreal in 2014, and 32 podiums to his credit, his skill is undeniable. But Formula 1 isn't just about talent. Timing, opportunity, and team politics often decide a driver's fate. Ricciardo's career has seen him move from Red Bull to Renault to McLaren, navigating highs but also more than a few frustrations.
After starting his career with HRT and Toro Rosso, Ricciardo was promoted to Red Bull Racing in 2014. Not only did he beat his teammate, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, but he also picked up three race victories. A new star was born. But when Max Verstappen joined the team, the winds shifted. The team began putting its weight behind Verstappen, and Ricciardo wasn't keen to play second fiddle. As such, he decided to leave and join Renault.
His time at Renault was a mixed bag—flashes of brilliance, but the team never truly hit its stride. After two seasons, Ricciardo took another leap to McLaren in 2021. He managed a stunning win at Monza there, but things quickly cooled off as he was getting outperformed by Lando Norris, who was in his second season. McLaren soon decided to cut his contract short and bring in Oscar Piastri for 2023, leaving Ricciardo without a full-time drive.
The Honey Badger wasn't ready to hang up his helmet just yet. In 2023, he returned to Red Bull as a third driver, taking on media duties and logging time in the simulator, hoping to work his way back into the Red Bull seat. His test performance at Silverstone hinted at a return to form, with lap times suggesting he could have finished 2nd, just behind Verstappen. This performance led to a mid-season call-up with Red Bull's sister team, AlphaTauri (now Visa Cash App Racing Bulls), stepping in for Nyck de Vries, who struggled to match his teammate Yuki Tsunoda's performances.
Ricciardo's comeback was abruptly cut short by a wrist injury after a crash at Zandvoort, leading reserve driver Liam Lawson to step in during his recovery. Lawson's stint, from the Dutch Grand Prix to the Qatar Grand Prix, raised some eyebrows—particularly Helmut Marko's—as his performances were closely matched with Tsunoda's.
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls decided to renew Ricciardo and Tsunoda for the 2024 season, but it has been anything but smooth sailing for Ricciardo. A series of bad luck, strategy and inability to adapt to the car left Ricciardo frequently in his teammate's shadow, outqualified 13 times in 18 races—a frustrating reality for a driver of his calibre.
The Singapore Grand Prix was a tough weekend for Ricciardo, with rumours about his future growing louder. He did manage to set the fastest lap on the final lap and was voted Driver of the Day by the fans. Unfortunately, he finished the race in 18th, which came without any points.
After the race, Ricciardo lingered in his cockpit longer than usual, taking in the Marina Bay lights as if it might be his last time racing under them. His team stood clapping for him as he entered the hospitality after the race, and renowned F1 photographer Kym Illman noted that Ricciardo was the last driver to leave the paddock that night.
Ricciardo's team boss, Laurent Mekies, added a layer of uncertainty. In the team's post-Singapore press release, Mekies carefully chose his words: "Given this may have been Daniel's last race, we wanted to give him the chance to savour it and go out with the fastest lap."
Mekies elaborated on the race: "We really needed a Safety Car opportunity for Daniel to get back into the fight for points. Dan was on an aggressive strategy starting on softs and has put in some very good laps through the race, but had effectively no chance to get back into the good positions from so far back. He never gave up and fought all race long."
Ricciardo spoke with F1TV in an emotional interview that seemed to hint at the gravity of the moment. "A lot of emotions because... look, I'm aware it could be it," he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion and reflection. "There's so much, like a flood of emotions and exhaustion... I just wanted to savour the moment." It was a rare display of vulnerability from a driver who has spent much of his career embodying confidence and joy.
In another interview with SkySports, Ricciardo said, "Let's say the fairytale ending didn't happen, but I also have to look back on what it's been—thirteen or so years—and I'm proud," he reflected. "Sometimes things don't end the way you want them to, but that doesn't take away from everything you've achieved. I'll hold my head high, no matter what."
During the pre-race press conference, Verstappen, Ricciardo's former teammate and friend, was asked about his future. "Daniel is a great guy and a great driver," Verstappen remarked. "If this is the last race or whatever, you can look back and be proud. He's achieved something many drivers can only dream of."
Ricciardo's future is still on the line, and we could potentially be seeing one of the sport's most prominent figures walking away. Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has yet to confirm their 2025 lineup, and with Helmut Marko promising Liam Lawson a seat, it's not looking good for the Australian. The Red Bull family has a history of brutally dropping drivers mid-season, and Ricciardo knows better than most how ruthless the sport can be.
