Daniel Ricciardo talks about the possibility of a mid-season swap in case his performances don't improve

Daniel Ricciardo claims there has been no inclination from RB or Red Bull that there could be a mid-season swap similar to Nyck De Vries. Speaking to media, including Sportskeeda, ahead of the 2024 Chinese GP, the Australian was adamant about being able to turn around his performance woes.

Ricciardo was a part of the swap in Hungary last year by replacing De Vries mid-season. In 2023, his stint was hampered by a hand injury after a crash in Zandvoort. However, the former Red Bull driver was able to impress many in Mexico where he qualified fourth and finished seventh in the race.

With Yuki Tsunoda outqualifying him consistently in the last four races, the 34-year-old’s form has been in question. There was speculation about him being given a two-race ultimatum until Miami or he would be replaced by reserve driver Liam Lawson. Red Bull was quick to dismiss the speculation surrounding Daniel Ricciardo and suggested there was no such performance deadline.

Ricciardo reiterated that his McLaren performance struggles have been different from the ones he has now. Asked if a scenario like the De Vries swap were to unfold mid-season or performance ultimatums, Daniel Ricciardo said:

“No there isn’t. And look I mean anything can happen and I’m also not naive. But I haven’t had any indication of that. And I think they know, look it probably goes back to do a little bit with everything I did in the past. But I think they think they know, even last year, I think I showed the signs of speed and everything.

"Yeah maybe I didn’t always show with McLaren. We felt like we got that back out of me. And okay for whatever reason it hasn’t been quite there to probably its fullest so far this year, I think they know its there. And also what we are doing on the sim, they can see thats its there. So we have to just now got to put it together.”

---

Daniel Ricciardo claims he did not have to seek assurances from Red Bull or RB about his future

Daniel Ricciardo claims RB and Red Bull have been extremely supportive of him, despite his early season struggles. With the excessive criticism about his form in 2024, a part of the scrutiny has resulted from the early stages of the season. Given that the former Red Bull driver is a prime candidate to earn his old seat back for 2025, his performances have been under scrutiny.

While the results haven’t helped, he believes his past successes are evidence of his ability including the 2023 season. Unlike rookies, he believes he doesn’t have a point to prove and feels his employers believe in his ability to deliver.

Asked if he has had to seek reassurances from RB or Red Bull after the pressure on his performance, Daniel Ricciardo said:

“No look I haven’t. I think because I am obviously around the team everyday, so to speak, that I would hear it from them. You know what I mean. And yeah of course, we’re not where we want to be but I think everything we kind of keep going back to each other, we’re still in this. We’re on the path, we know what we are doing. I think it’s not, I think yes I haven’t hard a great start to the season.

"But I am also not a rookie thats trying to kind of establish myself in the sport and prove something. Obviously I do have a track record where there is some proof there that I can do it. And the team believes and knows I can.”

Further explaining his current scenario, Daniel Ricciardo said:

“So its just trying to clean this all up and making sure that we can get it. I don’t want this to take a whole year and I don’t expect it to. On one hand I’m not a rookie, I have also got experience. So that should also speak for something. So yeah its not like I’m trying to kind of show them something that they haven’t seen yet. We are just trying to get me I guess in a place where I feel I can and deliver.

"So yeah they’re good, they are sorted, they’re sweet. I obviously want to put in a performance not only for myself but for them. But yeah there is no additional pressure from ‘shit am I going to have a seat next weekend or anything like that’. There’s nothing like that.”

With China being a strong circuit for Daniel Ricciardo, his win in 2018 with Red Bull and Renault's performance in 2019 are indications of his abilities. Hoping to use the past performances as an inspiration to kick start his 2024 campaign, the RB driver is still a contender for the Red Bull 2025 seat.

With Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez in contention for the same seat, he will have to beat Yuki Tsunoda consistently throughout the next 20 rounds to return to his old team. His teammate has scored seven points so far while he still remains in the hunt for his first points finish. Daniel Ricciardo has also been provided with a new chassis in China, which he is convinced could turn around the performance.