Daniel Ricciardo knows that his ‘performance’ and not his ‘smile’ are keys to his F1 future

Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 future seems tenuous at the moment. Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 future seems tenuous at the moment.

And speaking ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, the Australian driver addressed that uncertain future.

In the wake of comments from Red Bull Senior Advisor Dr. Helmut Marko that Visa Cash App RB F1 Team could be turning to Liam Lawson, as well as a post on social media from F1 journalist Joe Saward that the team could move to Lawson this summer, Ricciardo opened up about his status with the team.

“I’ve become really good at not reading things,” he told assembled media in Austria. “So I actually didn’t know about [Marko’s comments] until I was told when I got here.

“I don’t feel one way or another about it, I still know that the overriding thing in this sport is performance. Like that’s it and that’s what will give me my best chance of staying here. I know that it’s not going to be my nice smile or anything else.”

Speaking with Austrian outlet Kleine Zeitung ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Marko indicated that a move in a younger direction at Visa Cash App RB F1 Team may be coming down from on high. “The shareholders have made it clear that [VCARB] is a junior team and we have to act accordingly,” said the Red Bull advisor.

That could very well mean that Ricciardo is out, and Lawson is in, for 2025.

“The aim was for Ricciardo to qualify for a return to Red Bull Racing with exceptional performances. That seat now belongs to Sergio Perez, so that plan is off the table. We will have to put in a young driver soon,” continued Marko. “That would be Liam Lawson.”

Naturally, everything in F1 needs a bit of context, as well as the requisite grain of salt or two. Marko could be looking to push Ricciardo towards improved performance, or there could be other negotiations at play. In addition, the comments from Marko that VCARB is a “junior team” run in contrast to earlier statements from the organization about how the team would operate.

Ricciardo posited that Marko’s comments could be a means of motivation more than anything else.

“I said I really do enjoy being back in the [Red Bull] family,” added Ricciardo. “I weirdly do enjoy sometimes a little bit of the pokes from Helmut because I think it also could also be a way to get me a little bit fired up and try to get the best out of me.”

Still, Ricciardo was clear about what he needs to do to secure his future.

“It’s the on-track stuff so I’ve obviously got a good opportunity, I say until the summer break,” continued Ricciardo. “I don’t think that’s a deadline but obviously that’s what you look at for the first half of the season. So I try to do what I can and obviously help my cause.”

As for whether an option with another team could be in play, Ricciardo made one thing clear.

It is VCARB or bust.

“I would say no,” said Ricciardo. “I don’t know but I am, not to be stubborn or arrogant about it, but I’m not looking anywhere else.”