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Ricciardo: Majority of 2019 grid there because of talent

15:45, 20 Sep 2018

byJake Williams-Smith

Daniel Ricciardo believes that the majority of the grid in 2019 will be deserving of their race seats, with most of the field there based on talent. The Australian said he feels that the line-up will be evidence of talent behind the wheel rather than ‘political and financial stuff’.

Recently, Esteban Ocon has been left without a secure F1 future with no drive for 2019. Most feel that Ocon is more than deserving of a seat in F1, Ricciardo included, but added that the situation wasn't a first for the sport and that drivers with talent have lost out before.

“I genuinely believe that pretty much the vast majority of the grid now is based around talent,” Ricciardo told Crash.net. “I don’t think the sport’s in a bad place at all with that.

“I don’t know Ocon’s situation now. If he doesn’t have a drive next year, sure, he’s worthy of a drive, but I wouldn’t say he’s the first guy that’s missed it. It’s happened before that drivers with the talent have lost out."

Ricciardo also said he feels for Ocon but that the situation would be resolved in the near future with a deal that suited the driver and the Mercedes team.

“If he (Ocon) didn’t have a seat, do I think that’s the end of his F1 career? No, I don’t think it is. I feel it’s always gone on, and it’s unfortunate, but I don’t think it’s necessarily in a different place than it has been.

“With the Ocon situation, I didn’t do it to screw him, but obviously the effect of my move has put him in a bit of a position now.

“I think now we’ve got more younger drivers in the field than ever before. I feel old at 29 when there are kids well below their 20s in F1. I don’t think it’s harder, but it’s always been the case. It’s not always that clear that this guy is in because he’s currently the best guy in junior formulas and that’s why he’s in F1. There’s political stuff and there’s financial stuff as well that’s always involved.”