Ricciardo goes 'all-in' for Red Bull: 'There will be nothing after this'

Three seats remain open for 2025: Visa Cash App RB, Alpine, and Sauber each have one more seat available for next season. Daniel Ricciardo is one driver who does not yet have a deal for 2025. With Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, and Yuki Tsunoda already sure of their seats for 2025 on paper, the pressure is mounting on Ricciardo.

This was intensified on Thursday morning when Helmut Marko revealed in an interview that Liam Lawson will drive a Red Bull car in 2025. The statement has a direct impact on current drivers. However, it is no reason for Ricciardo to look further. Asked by GPblog whether Ricciardo is also talking to other teams, the VCARB driver said:

"I'm most happy being back here. Speaking on performance, it's kind of nice not looking elsewhere or having other little distractions because I can just focus on this. It's an all in approach, but I think that approach will also get the most out of me. If that is still not enough, then c'est la vie. It kind of intensifies it, but also simplifies it. So I think it's the best approach."

What options does Ricciardo have for 2025?

Ricciardo's face shows that he is so relaxed. At 35, Ricciardo has been through quite a bit by now and, above all, has experienced that the grass is not always greener somewhere else. At Red Bull, he knows what he has. He has been given another chance, and there is always the chance of a place with a top team.

Performance should ultimately speak for itself. If Ricciardo shows enough, he will logically come into the picture to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing. If not well enough, then Liam Lawson will take over his spot, and Ricciardo seems to be content with that too.

Yet it is not just a choice of luxury. Of course, Ricciardo has been clear about the fact that he would like to stay at Red Bull, but the phone is not red hot either. "I'm not going to say everyone's like, oh Hey, well, if this doesn't work, we got something for you. I think I've been quite open about not wanting to [move], I've obviously done a bit of jumping around the last few years and that in itself can be tiring."

"I've worked my way back to this place and also Red Bull has given me the opportunity to be back here. So it's not something I just want to dismiss and okay, well, what's the next? Like, there is no next thing for me. This is it. I’m appreciative of what they've been able to give me now. And I really just want to try and make it work with them."

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