- Daniel Ricciardo has admitted he needs to drive faster
- The Australian has struggled to stay fit this season.
- His place in F1 is in danger for 2025
Daniel Ricciardo has accepted that doubts over his Formula One future are justified, with the under-pressure Australian facing a race against time to secure his seat for 2025.
Ricciardo, 34, has been offered a lifeline in F1 at Red Bull’s junior team RB in the hope that his strong performances would open the door for him to return to the world champions as team-mate to Max Verstappen next year.
However, a slow start to 2024 meant Red Bull opted to stick with Sergio Perez and attention turned to Ricciardo’s place at RB, with young New Zealand driver Liam Lawson hot on his heels.
But in an interview with F1’s official website, Ricciardo said he is only focusing on the things he can control.
“That’s what I tell myself,” he said.
“The sport is very competitive now. Yes, there is marketing and other things involved in this sport/business. But at the end of the day, the clock doesn’t lie, and that’s my best way to keep doing this for longer.”
Ricciardo has outpaced team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in three of the last four races but was left to rue poor qualifying strategy at the British Grand Prix last time out.
He revealed what motivates him as F1 enters the second half of the season.
Daniel Ricciardo has admitted he needs to be faster to keep his seat
Australian’s place in Formula 1 is under serious threat for 2025
“It’s frustrating because I look in the mirror and I say I can do this really, really well, so how do I make sure I do it consistently? Because if I do, I laugh. But it’s more positive than negative,” she said.
‘There will come a day when I won’t be able to do it as well, but I’d rather have these sporadic good days that prove I still have that ability to do something great, and then it’s up to me to unlock it more often.
‘There will be tough days ahead, there will be low moments, but I still love the anticipation of a week of racing, I love the opportunity.
“There’s curiosity: could this week be a breakout week? Could something special happen? I still believe it can be, so that’s where it still is and the excitement still is.
“The competition is very big. Of course I have won before and there is nothing I like more than winning, but right now, scoring points is our small victory, so that is the fight.
“If I can do it, I’ll be happy when I leave the track and I’m sure I’ll have fun.”