Leading F1 commentator David Croft has been slammed by fans following a brutal question he asked other drivers about struggling Aussie Daniel Ricciardo.
As the 35-year-old faces an uncertain future on the grid, Sky Sports’ Croft didn’t mince his words when speculating about the embattled Visa CashApp RB driver.
Speaking ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend, Max Verstappen, Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda all fielded questions – and Croft didn’t miss the opportunity to zero in on Ricciardo.
‘A question to all three drivers. Lance, you’ve got a close relationship with Daniel Ricciardo. Max and Yuki, you have too and were former teammates,’ he said.
‘Does Daniel Ricciardo deserve to stay in Formula 1 for next year?’
Verstappen responded eloquently, and many fans were quick to voice their displeasure on social media at Croft.
‘Does Daniel Ricciardo deserve to stay in F1 next season’ is such a piece of sh*t question,’ one posted on X.
A second weighed in with: ‘What’s the crack with that question from Crofty. Sh*tty question.’
Leading F1 commentator David Croft has been slammed by fans following a brutal question he aimed at struggling Aussie Daniel Ricciardo (pictured)
Ricciardo hasn’t been offered a contract for 2025 and it appears his F1 career is drawing to a rapid close (pictured, after finishing 13th at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix)
Meanwhile, other F1 fans are convinced Ricciardo’s time in the sport is over – and there’s a very clear reason why.
Various reports have claimed that Singapore could be his final race as Red Bull look to the future with Kiwi 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.
That is in stark contract to Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda, who are front and centre 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.
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 centre in advertising ahead of the race this weekend
Ricciardo (left) has struggled to keep pace with his Red Bull team-mate Yuki Tsunoda this season
Kiwi 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.