Daniel Ricciardo is expected to commit to Red Bull for the 2019 F1 season following unsuccessful attempts to land a seat with a rival front-running team.
RaceFans understands Ricciardo, who has won two races this year and lies third in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship, has made contact via his management with Mercedes and Ferrari. However both teams are seeking alternative arrangements for next season.Mercedes is believed to favour retaining both its current drivers. Ferrari is considering promoting junior driver Charles Leclerc, who has impressed at Sauber this year, as a potential replacement for Kimi Raikkonen.
Speaking during the drivers’ press conference today Ricciardo admitted there had been “a bit of interest” from rival teams.
“I personally want to get something done, ideally before the break,” he said. “I want to go into the break with a clear mind so it feels like a break.”
“With Red Bull now committed to Honda so I think they’ve got all the cards on their table so I know what I’m getting there. Things are starting to get to the point where I know what’s what and hopefully have something soon for everyone.”
Ricciardo is also understood to have rejected an offer from McLaren. Renault is believed to be unwilling to meet Ricciardo’s salary requirements.
The 28-year-old is seeking a pay rise as he is leading Max Verstappen, who is already contracted to the team for 2019, in the championship. As a long-term member of Red Bull’s young driver programme, Ricciardo has been on a comparatively low salary for a driver at a race-winning team.
With Honda arriving as Red Bull’s power unit supplier next year, Ricciardo is believed to be seeking a deal under which the Japanese manufacturer contributes to his retainer.
Ricciardo has also sought assurances regarding his status at the team alongside Verstappen, who is considered by some to be their favoured driver.
An announcement on Ricciardo’s future is thought likely either at either of two coming race weekends, which represent the home races for the team’s Austrian owners and British bases respectively.
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2018 F1 season
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JohnH (@johnrkh)
28th June 2018, 14:39
Well that seems settled, see how long the contract is for. Now he needs to continue to out point his team mate, which going on the last two years and so far this year should be within his ability.
eL Provos
28th June 2018, 14:43
I saw no where for him to go and admit that all of this to me was just posturing for money. Mercedes made it clear that they will not disrupt hte harmony they have with HAM and BOT. BOT is a solid solid performer who will win and contribute handsomely to the WCC. Ferrari has a culture of a clear one and two driver and VET has built up the team around him. There is no mistaking that.
Tarheelpup (@tarheelpup)
5th July 2018, 0:52
Kimi seems perfectly content being Vettel’s #2, cashing his checks and wearing red clothing. Vettel doesn’t want a hungry driver in the second car (see Mark Webber). Ferarri can pay what Kimi is worth, he obviously doesn’t cause issues and as long as he’s getting decent results there’s no reason to change. And the talk of Kimi going to McClaren was laughable. If they can’t pay Ricciardo what he wants I can think of about 40 million rea$ons they won’t pay Raikkonen either. Plus it is at least a season too soon to bring LeClerc up to the main team, unless they want to ruin him.
Joao (@johnmilk)
28th June 2018, 14:44
I can sort of understand Ferrari and Mercedes on this. Especially Mercedes after their Ham-Ros pairing, they surely seem relaxed on that front, and Bottas seems to me performing, unfortunately for him the numbers aren’t a true representation of his form this season.
Ferrari are on the same situation more or less, maybe they can put Leclerc alongside Vettel next season. Looking at it from other perspective, I think it would be better for Ferrari to pair Vettel with a more challenging driver than Kimi. Vettel is too relaxed on that battle, maybe it is costing him focus which probably leads to some of the mistakes we’ve seen in the last couple of years. Still he has been the only real challenge to the Mercs.
For Dany Ricc, well tough luck.
Garns (@)
28th June 2018, 15:03
@johnmilk
As an Daniel fan I find this frustrating, very frustrating, but I agree that I can see the point of view from Ferrari and Mercs.
Probably more so Mercs, as you mention with the HAM V ROS Royal Rumble. If Bottas hadn’t had such horrid luck he would be up there and plenty on points for them for WCC.
Ferrari are a bit more baffling – they seem content with 2nd or 3rd in the WCC yet seem to favour one driver for WDC but never achieve it (in recent times of course). Why choose a No.1 driver when they don’t win?
So they buck their trend and either take Daniel and have two equal drivers, or they take Leclerc and have a very junior (yet sensational) driver- either isn’t their way. It still makes me think Vettel has a veto on Daniel, why else wouldn’t they take him? He would be on same salary or less than Kimi and do a much better job- I am a Kimi fan but he isn’t getting the best from that car.
Either way, not McLaren – chase a Championship and not the money, the money will come! And I don’t think he is singing for his supper anyway :O
anon
28th June 2018, 15:29
@garns, the implication was that it was McLaren who were trying to go after Ricciardo, rather than the other way around – suggesting that perhaps they are keener on him than he is on them.
With regards to why Ferrari have been content with 2nd or 3rd in the WCC, that is almost certainly a reflection of the favourable commercial terms that they have with FOM – they’ll still earn more than the team that wins the WCC anyway, so the additional prize money is not that much of a draw. I think it is also a reflection of the fact that their historical success is such that, by this point, their heritage sells the team by itself and they are kind of resting on their laurels in that respect.
As for Ferrari’s adoption of their lead and second driver policy, well, whilst they’ve not managed to secure a title in recent times, that strategy has often put them in a position where they’ve come close to winning with a car that wasn’t as strong as those at the front (see 2012 as an example). It does have its downsides as well though, especially where the second driver isn’t successfully taking points off your rivals and therefore isn’t as effective as he could be.
With regards to Ricciardo, it does sound as if he is hitting the market right at a point where his choices outside of Red Bull are rather limited. Ferrari and Mercedes seem to be quite satisfied with either their current line up, or the potential options they have in the wings, whilst moving elsewhere would be a downgrade in terms of competitiveness – even if there was a seat, Renault are still some way back from the front, whilst McLaren is struggling and the rest of the midfield pack are just further steps down from there.
Garns (@)
28th June 2018, 16:17
Anon- good post mate.
Yes McLaren certainly more keen on Ricky Bobby than vise versa- but he shouldn’t go.
Ferrari do earn more than anyone team due to their commercial rights holding, and I find that insulting to other teams that just want to race, like Force India, but also a reflection on why they are such poor performers if you look at dollar v points won. I think it was Joe Saward that said Force India could win every GP for 3 years and Ferrari not finish one race and still earn more money- that’s insane and not sustainable for too long, and just wrong!
When I go to F1 races in Paddock Club its great to see what teams will let you in for a look if you are not a special guest. Force India are rigid but if you are a guest they are great. Red Bull look after guests and previous guests as well. There are only two teams that have never let me go under the ropes and see the car close up- Virgin (go figure- no-one was there) and Ferrari. I have gone to the Mercedes garage in a Mark Webber hat and they let me have a look it- F1 is about barracking for your team/driver but appreciating the others. Ferrari don’t seem to do that, and that’s a shame.
Yes Danny is hitting the drivers market and perfectly the wrong time :( And if that’s how it plays then it is what it is. He has proved he can challenge Max, maybe not as quick one quali pace but maybe better overall racer at this stage- young Max not a bad marker !! I was hoping he would taste the grass on the other side, even if for two years, but doesn’t seem so. All good- onwards and upwards !!
anon
28th June 2018, 18:43
@garns, there does seem to be an impression that, ever since Marchionne took over from Luca, Ferrari seem to have been far less welcoming and accommodating than they used to be in the past (both with members of the press and with other individuals who are present in the paddock), which does seem to tally with your impressions from the paddock area.
With regards to the stories linking Ricciardo and McLaren, it is possible that story was leaked to the press for strategic reasons instead. Verstappen’s rather hefty contract renewal seems to have come about because Red Bull, having feared that he would go to Mercedes, upped their offer significantly – with Lauda taking some pleasure in telling Marko that he made a major mistake by believing the rumours. It may be that, seeing how well it worked for Verstappen, Ricciardo’s side have put out a similar story to try and push Red Bull into bettering their offer, since it seems that Red Bull are now regretting their soft stance with Verstappen and are playing harder to get for Ricciardo.
Of course, it also depends on how McLaren are playing it as well – it could be that they’re also keen on the story to go out to deflect attention away from the criticism they’ve faced in recent weeks over their management style and reports of a toxic working environment.
David Not Coulthard (@davidnotcoulthard)
28th June 2018, 18:37
@garns
I wonder how many are envious of HAM for getting both
Esploratore (@esploratore)
29th June 2018, 1:53
Or schumacher, but I’d say that if you truly are exceptional you will get both, he went to a team that never won anything and made it championship contending car, then went to a former top team that didn’t win a title for 17 years and made it a dominating car and this way he also got a lot of money.
Esploratore (@esploratore)
29th June 2018, 1:57
As for alonso obviously, his big mistake was crumbling on the pressure from hamilton, a top driver like he is should’ve stayed the following years and take back the number 1 status by beating him, instead you know what happened in 2007, after which he never really had a title contending car; leaving ferrari wasn’t necessarily a bad idea, but mclaren wasn’t the answer given how they underperformed in 2013 and 2014 with mercedes engine, if he ever had a chance to go to mercedes that’s another mistake.
John s
28th June 2018, 15:04
There is a good chance that Red Bull may be in a development year in 2019. But if Ricardo can get his salary up before jumping to Mercedes of Ferrari, that would be great. I suspect both Mercedes and Ferrari will have openings at the end of the year, but just not before this summer’s break.
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
28th June 2018, 15:24
Rival drivers often remark how Vettel has a say in who gets to drive #2 Ferrari, I wonder how much that is true.
Either way not having two top drivers is really hurting Ferrari. And Daniel is just another opportunity missed. I bet He would get along just fine at Ferrari and would certainly do a fine job.
Daniel was also the last teammate to beat Vettel, if last year Ferrari had a #2 who was slightly faster than Vettel? Imagine the possibilities.
Some day they will have to change their ways. Vettel in 4-6 years will be in a terminal decline. At some point they will need a new star. And there wont be any 4 time WDC avaliable, they might aswell make one.
Robbie (@robbie)
28th June 2018, 15:34
Your comment made me look up SV’s and DR’s ages. Turns out on Sunday July 1 DR turns 29, and on Tuesday July 3 SV turns 31.
Garns (@)
28th June 2018, 16:31
@robbie
Yes Seb isn’t heaps older than Dan, probably looked more so in 2014 when Dan joined the team.
From memory Dan got his first drive on loan to HRT in 2011 at 24yo. Seb had won a WDC and something like 22 or 23??
Seb started young like Button and Alonso where at the time that was unusual. Now Max, Sainz, Stroll, Ocon- we had more teenagers start now than ever. Good stead for F1. Some will make it, some wont!!
Iosif (@afonic)
28th June 2018, 17:01
I think Leclerc is an exceptional talent, one that can easily be a multiple WDC given the equipment. So it doesn’t make any sense to offer a multi million contract to Ricciardo, possibly for 2 or 3 years while they have him in the wings.
If they think he can handle it he will be promoted this year, if not we’ll get another year of Kimi.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
28th June 2018, 17:37
@jureo
Do seriously think that anyone in Ferrari including Arrivabene has a say in the driver’s line up with Marchionne ? This veto thing is just a metropolitan legend very popular round the anti-Ferrari media. Don’t forget that Vettel himself was publicly criticized by Marchionne back in 2016.
Ferrari have been seriously considering their junior drivers program since the days of Jules Bianchi (RIP). It’s one of the main reasons that pushed Marchionne to make Alfa Romeo back again in F1, he was keen anyway of Alfa’s return but he has said that it’s frustrating that Ferrari do have 2 exceptional talents (Leclerc and Giovinazzi) with no F1 seats.
So it doesn’t make sense for Ferrari to spend millions to hire Daniel when they have already a sensational talent like Leclerc.
anon
28th June 2018, 19:03
@tifoso1989, I doubt that cost is that much of an issue when it comes to driver salaries, given we are talking about an extremely wealthy team – if anything, given that Ricciardo’s salary is rumoured to be less than that of Kimi, hiring Ricciardo would potentially reduce their wage bill instead of increasing it.
Meanwhile, they might have Leclerc on the books, but Ferrari has traditionally been quite conservative when choosing drivers and usually placed a fairly high premium on experience.
If Leclerc was chosen for 2019, he’d be the least experienced driver to drive for them since they elected to run Gilles Villeneuve in 1977 – they’ve never chosen to use a driver on a permanent basis who had just a single season under his belt for over 40 years. Even if he joined in 2020, I believe that would still make him the least experienced driver in 30 years that had driven for them (you’d have to go back to Alesi in 1990 to find a less experienced driver).
Now, it is not to say that it’s impossible, but it would be an extremely rare event for Ferrari to go against its usual behaviour and put somebody as inexperienced as Leclerc into their car, even if he is doing very well at the moment.
Esploratore (@esploratore)
29th June 2018, 2:01
Well, considering how fast gilles villeneuve could be, I don’t think it was a bad choice, same could go for leclerc.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
29th June 2018, 10:08
@anon
As I said earlier cost doesn’t include the driver’s salary alone, FCA has spent millions in order for Alfa Romeo to be back again in F1 and it’s rumored that it will make a take over on Sauber for a full return (usual modis operandi of Marchionne) and one of the main reasons behind this move was that they have already Giovinazzi and Leclerc.
They tried desperately last year to place at least one of them (Leclerc) in Haas, but Haas resisted to retain their both drivers which pushed Marchionne in a hurry to sponsor Sauber. It’s clear now that he wants a return on the investment already made by promoting Leclerc to Ferrari.
As for Ferrari being traditionally conservative with drivers choice in the last decades is due to the amount of pressure and politics that the drivers have to deal with plus the fact that they want the always to hire the best possible driver in the business which sometimes requires most of the time an obedient second driver. That wasn’t the case with Enzo, he had a sixth sense for the talented drivers and would give them a chance regardless of their racing experience. Niki Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve, Ricardo Rodriguez (that still holds the record for the youngest ever Ferrari driver)… are pretty good examples…
Then again Marchionne is an unusual manager even by the industry standards, under his leadership things that were rarely seen at Ferrari (Fiat and Chrysler) have become the normality.
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
29th June 2018, 7:04
@tifoso1989 that is what I think aswell. It is all British press and showmanship? But why don’t they go for Riciardo then.
He is almost as old as Vettel.
It makes total sense.
Mercedes meanwhile has Bottas that does a resonable job. But Kimi in Ferrari just isn’t.
Guybrush Threepwood
28th June 2018, 16:53
I’m sorry, but I just wish Raikkonen’s F1 career would hurry up and die. Would much rather see Leclerc or Ricciardo in that seat instead of the perennial bridesmaid picking up the crumbs when it doesn’t work out for everyone else up front.
Dave
28th June 2018, 17:13
As much as I like Bottas, Mercedes should absolutely grab Danny if they can. He is a better racer, has shown he can fight fairly and successfully with a driver who is favored by team management, and would be a good pairing with Ocon or another young talent if Lewis decides to leave the team during or after the next two year extension.
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
28th June 2018, 18:08
I agree. Why did Mercedes extend Bottas’ contract by 1 year unless they wanted to keep the option of replacing him at the end of this season open? The only driver they would be interested in is Ricciardo.
As much as I want to believe Honda will bring their “A game” to the 2019 season, this is a good time for Ricciardo to jump ship.
Esploratore (@esploratore)
29th June 2018, 2:06
I’m not sure about that, apart from the fact that it really looks like ferrari and mercedes won’t take ricciardo, but let’s assume he could pick any team he wanted.
Red bull has never been this close in the hybrid era and this is with renault engine, they are 1 sec faster than last year from the start (in comparison to top teams) and if it weren’t for some technical issues and verstappen’s mistakes they’d be fighting for the constructors; this year’s red bull is also the best car verstappen and ricciardo ever drove so far.
I didn’t have much trust in honda, but red bull isn’t like mclaren or williams, they want to win and know how to do it (since they actually proved to have a top chassis), and honda actually had a massive upgrade in canada, if they are on level with renault they could actually be better next year, renault is making very little gains on the top teams, they still seem so far behind.
Red bull just needs a little better engine than they have now to really challenge for the title, you see now why ferrari and mercedes refuse to supply them? This year they’d be running away with the title if they had one of those 2 engines.
Esploratore (@esploratore)
29th June 2018, 2:07
So in conclusion, ricciardo could well jump to ferrari or mercedes and finally red bull is the top team, that would be alonso#2.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
28th June 2018, 20:08
I am a bit disappointed for Daniel. I think 2019 will definitely be a development year at Red Bull and who knows what will happen after. It’s quite likely that Red Bull will not win a race next year and maybe even in 2020.
I can understand the Merc and Ferrari decisions, perhaps Merc’s more than Ferrari. They always seem to have a slight edge on Ferrari so why upset the apple cart by replacing Bottas? He’s very good but not exceptional.
Kimi is definitely well past his best so it really would be a breath of fresh air for him to be replaced by someone younger and faster. They are never going to win a Constructors title with Kimi there but Daniel would give them a much better chance. Why don’t they take a risk and have two really top-notch, fast drivers up against each other. It would really be exciting for F1. Maybe they just don’t care about the Constructor’s title.
Even if Charles moves to Ferrari in 2019 we are still likely to end up with the no.1, no.2 scenario as long a Vettel is competititive and challenging for the WDC.
Esploratore (@esploratore)
29th June 2018, 2:09
I really doubt red bull would make the honda switch if they thought honda would be so bad to make them not win a race, when they’re likely in with a shot at 5 race wins this year.
Esploratore (@esploratore)
29th June 2018, 2:11
In fact, by the looks of it, honda should already be at renault level currently, so would be getting drastically worse to go back to not win a race.
Todfod (@todfod)
29th June 2018, 8:47
I think Ferrari places more emphasis on the WDC than the WCC, which is why they haven’t really bothered getting a competitive #2 driver in that 2nd seat. As long as Marchinonne is happy with Vettel, they wouldn’t want another driver fighting for the WDC and taking points off their #1 driver. So, I can completely understand why they will either retain Kimi or keep Leclerc in that #2 seat in a role of rear gunner for Seb.
Mercedes has found the perfect driver in Bottas. He’s quick enough to have Mercedes getting one-twos… he’s consistent enough to take the fight to Ferrari when Lewis is having an off day… he’s an excellent team player, and yet, he’s not phenomenal enough to take a WDC away from Lewis. I just don’t think they can handle another Ham-Ros kind of pairing now that Ferrari are so close to them. Mercedes cannot afford two drivers crashing in to each other, and battling each other more than battling rivals. So, I think Mercedes are blessed enough to have the perfect driver pairing at the moment.
Unfortunately for Ricciardo, there’s no team other than the top 3 that’s tempting enough. Even with a Honda engine, you would expect Red Bull to finish miles in front of Renault and McLaren. It would be ideal for Ricciardo to sign a one to two year contract with Red Bull at the maximum, and then evaluate his options going in to 2021. There’s a decent chance of a Hamilton retirement at the end of 2020 and that should be an interesting time in the driver market.
DonSmee (@david-beau)
28th June 2018, 20:37
Verstappen gets millions more than Daniel. A crying shame.
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
28th June 2018, 21:39
Not really surprised that there’s no interest from Merc or Ferrari.
I am very surprised Renault aren’t prepared to bend over backwards to get him -he’s exactly what the need if they want to get up amongst the teams at the pointy end.
There are no other viable options so if it’s not Renault it has to be RBR which is a shame because they’ve invested so much in Max they will have to treat Dan as number 2.
JohnH (@johnrkh)
29th June 2018, 1:55
Yes I’m a bit surprised that Renault and Ricciardo could not come to an arrangement as well. I read that the boss of Renault said they were a second behind RedBull, and are looking at challenging for the WCC/WDC in 20/21. But In reality will the Honda powered RedBull be any more competitive in the same period.
Esploratore (@esploratore)
29th June 2018, 2:16
Yes, actually I think red bull, if honda doesn’t underdeliver again, will be able to challenge for the title with it, they could already fight for the constructors this year if it weren’t for some driver-related setbacks (and some reliability).
I also don’t see renault getting closer, they’re still 1.4-1.5 sec behind top teams, that’s too much, so while maybe they’ll get closer they won’t really manage their objectives to challenge for titles in 20 or 21, even though we have to see what happens next year, cause atm they have 200 mil budget, they said that if they manage 4th place they can get some more to try and bring the fight to the top teams, and 4th should be quite realistic this year.
He did very well to refuse to go to mclaren and his best choice is staying at red bull, even more so cause the other top teams don’t want him, the others are too far behind to really say “they will catch up”.