Formula 1 fans are convinced that Daniel Ricciardo’s time in the sport is over – and there’s a very clear reason why.
The Australian’s future is up in the air, with various reports claiming that Singapore could be his final race as Red Bull look to the future with Liam Lawson.
Although a decision has not yet been announced, some F1 fans are confident that there are obvious signs around Singapore of the team’s decision.
Inside the city’s MRT subway system, F1 teams have plastered advertising around ahead of the race weekend, and Red Bull are no different.
Of their four drivers – across the main Red Bull team and its sister outfit Visa Cash App RB – there is no sign of Ricciardo, or the struggling Sergio Perez.
Daniel Ricciardo is set for a crunch weekend with his future in doubt beyond Singapore
In Singapore’s metro stations, Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda are front and center
That is in stark contract to Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda, who are front and center of all the marketing campaigns with their future in the team secure.
Ricciardo spoke to reporters at the circuit on Thursday, and even he admitted he is not sure that he’ll be in Texas for one of his favorite races on the calendar.
‘I actually heard that I won’t be in the car for this race as well, that was after Japan or something. I know how it is, and how it works, and I knew there was always going to be some dates and deadlines… post-summer break, or post-Singapore,’ he said.
‘So post-Singapore is the next one. But honestly, still so many things are up in the air, let’s see how the weekend goes, I’m going to give it all I can. We’ll see what happens, I’ll try and get the thing on the podium, that’s my plan.
Ricciardo (left) has struggled to keep pace with his team-mate Yuki Tsunoda this season
Liam Lawson is waiting in the wings for his chance at a permanent race seat in Formula 1
‘After the decision, that’s when the decisions will be made. Us that know the contract, that’s where the dates fall. So after the weekend, we’ll know more.’
Reports have claimed that Ricciardo is set to be axed in place of New Zealand’s Liam Lawson – currently the team’s reserve driver – ahead of the New Zealander getting a permanent spot on the grid in 2025.
In the main team, Perez’s future is also uncertain despite his new two-year contract, with the Mexican well off the pace of world champion Max Verstappen.
It was initially thought that Ricciardo could make the step up to Red Bull from V-Ca-RB, but now the most likely outcome is that he is let go completely.