Daniel Ricciardo will not return as reserve driver

The RB team has not yet officially confirmed the refusal to work with Daniel Ricciardo, but few doubt that Liam Lawson will drive the car instead of the Australian in the next stage in Austin. At the same time, Daniel has already confirmed that if he is fired from RB, he will not return to the role of reserve driver.

Daniel Ricciardo: “No, I will not return to the reserve drivers. Last year it made sense when I tried my best to get my seat back at Red Bull. But now there is no point in returning to the reserve driver role, as I do not intend to restart my career.

I am 35 years old and I can still show the pace that I have had for years, but it is of course becoming more and more difficult for me to show this pace every race weekend.

Part of this may be due to age. At 25 it was definitely easier than at 35, but the competition has increased now. I think that happens in every sport. Simulators are getting more advanced and young racers are much better prepared when they make their debut. Plus they now have access to camera footage of all the drivers’ cars so they can watch and learn.

Probably the level of competition has increased and it has become harder for me to demonstrate my high level every week. But I am not disappointed because I know I have done it before and it was great.

I want to make sure that when I leave the sport, I will have good memories, and for me it will not all become a routine if I drop out of contention in the first part of qualifying every weekend. That would be sad.”