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Daniel Ricciardo says he will consider leaving Red Bull if the energy drink owned team can't deliver him a title challenging car in 2018. The Australian has driven for the team since 2014, and before that Red Bull's junior outfit Toro Rosso. But he told the Sun newspaper that as he will be out of contract at the end of next year, his desire to win means he might consider leaving the Red Bull camp.
"We have still managed to get podiums but we haven't realistically been in the championship hunt so it really needs to happen with Red Bull next year -- at least from my point of view," 28-year-old Ricciardo said. "I've been here for quite a few years now and I think next year we need to make a bigger step next year than we did this year, to really convince me that I can win with them."
Ricciardo said he would like Red Bull to step up with a winning car next year so he could "complete the story" after being groomed by the energy drink company. "Do I want to win with them? Absolutely. I think that would complete the story as well. Seb got to complete it -- he is the only guy. So my heart would love to. But we will see," he said.
"I have got decisions to make once my Red Bull contract is up. It is the first time in my professional career that I've been a free agent. The next contract I sign, whether it is an extension or a new one, it is unlikely to be for just one year, it is probably three years. So that is a big part of the next step in my career," Ricciardo added. (GMM)
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
24 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (7)
Login to replyHombibi
Posts: 137
I hate to say it but I don't think Ricciardo will find what he wants with RB next year. I think that again there will be one team, and maybe two that will fight for podiums and the championship, and it won't be much different than this year. And as that goes, how much chance does he really have to get into a Ferrari or a Mercedes next year? Regardless, moving to a faster car is not going to bring him the points on merit anyway. I believe that his points scored with RB are so much more valuable. I think that this motor business is killing the sport. Maybe this situation is not new for F1, but today there are so many alternatives that I think this is not sustainable. I mean, what excitement do we actually see on track? Very little, compared to the many other sports I can watch for the same price and with the same effort. I say release the rules and allow more varied innovation, and bring in weight handicaps to bring in (back?) the racing excitement: if weight handicaps are introduced every car is suddenly a title contender... For Ricciardo however, I think his best option will be to stay with Red Bull, at least until after the new engines are in for two years.
kngrthr
Posts: 203
i agree about relaxing the rules. you should be able to make any engine you want inside a capacity limit.
wide V , narrow V, 4 cylinder or even one cylinder. whatever.
but please, NO handicap of any description ever. it ruins sport because its fake. why try to aim for perfection like Mercedes if they stick a 50kg bag of spuds in the boot? better off making a poorer car cheaper and running weight free.
that wont foster innovation
Hombibi
Posts: 137
@ KNGRTHR. The point is that with a handicap system (Golf, Sailing) you allow everyone compete, it does not cost much and is easy to adapt/tune. The trick is then to not completely nullify differences, so the cheap car won't be equal to the Mercedes, but closer. With the handicap system you can, with little effort, tune how close you want them to be. Furthermore if you have to give constructor points to reward lugging extra weight around the track so that there are enough reasons to innovate. And as the cars are more equal, driver skills can take a more important role in a competition that is much more exciting.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Just to add a little 'aside' to this story line, 1 hour ago BBC report Renault are apparently not going to supply RB after next season! They will seemingly have to have Honda engines along with Toro Rosso. Wonder how that will sit with Ricciardo?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Really? And how reliable is that report? I sort of have a hard time believing it.
Hombibi
Posts: 137
I guess it illustrates the grip that the engine manufacturers currently have on the sport. I can't wait until the new engine formula is introduced. Probably Mercedes will quit as the new engines might kill their investment in the best engines to date. They may easily state that the new engines do not support their road development strategy anymore after they have had such a long and successful reign in the championship. RB might give it another go again as they have unfinished business and of course Ferrari and the others will remain as their chances to get back in the game increase.
So Ricciardo, stay put, Mercedes is in my eyes most likely to pull out, Ferrari will probably not let you drive next to Vettel, the rest is no better than what you have today and in two years it is all going to change.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Bold headline if not true. Motor Sport Magazine also now carry same headline, no denials but RB do not gave a contract beyond 2018 with Renault