Daniel Ricciardo addresses potential Red Bull job interview amid uncertainty over Sergio Perez’s future

Daniel Ricciardo reckons the test in Imola in the following week could be potentially a job interview for Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull. Speaking to onsite media after the Belgian GP, the RB driver claimed that the test on the filming day is not a guarantee for the seat.

It is understood that Visa Cashapp RB will have a filming day in Imola scheduled for July 31 where Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo will be driving the VCARB01. The current RB drivers will be driving the current car while Liam Lawson and Ayumu Iwasa will drive the previous year’s AT03 on August 1, 2024. The filming day will also be an evaluation of the Australian’s data to get an idea of the perfect candidate for the second seat at Red Bull. The 35-year-old empathized with Perez but was not sure if the testing day added value to securing the Red Bull drive. He shared being in those shoes and being a part of the speculation surrounding one's career future.

Perez was frustrated answering speculations about his future in Hungary to media including Sportskeeda. But the narrative of him losing his seat gathered more momentum after the race in Belgium. Refusing to speculate on his future, the Mexican was adamant about not answering questions related to it. Although he started the race in the front row at P2, his P8 finish in the race is not the result Red Bull wanted.

With the championship points margin further reduced, a mid-season driver swap is being considered. Daniel Ricciardo finishing tenth in the race and having two strong weekends, he has propelled the narrative of him being a prime contender for the seat.

Asked about the filming day in Imola following the Belgium GP and Perez's defiant stance on speculation about his future, Ricciardo said:

“Yep. Well I get it (Checo). It can all be a bit tiring. But I’ve been there. Yeah, it's not always fun. Job, yes, 35, job interview. Yeah, we'll see. I mean, I do, we always plan into a filming day. I might do a few extra laps. Will it have add some weight or not let's see. But I guess my approach is every time I'm going to get strapped in I'll try and do the best I can. So I won't be in holiday mode just yet and then we’ll see.”

Shedding more light on the filming day cum test, Ricciardo said:

“So I know Iwasa and Liam are and I think I'm going to turn probably a few hours from now. So if it is, then it will be that one. But then with the filming days, we'll be in the current car. So that's like 100km range, so Yuki and I will do it on the next run.”

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Daniel Ricciardo is unsure if the Imola test will be similar to the Red Bull Silverstone test in 2023

Daniel Ricciardo is uncertain if the Imola test will be a conclusive one like the Red Bull Silverstone test where he tested the RB19. He reckoned that the test he did in Britain last year was intending to get a seat on the grid. The 35-year-old driver said it could be an evaluation but is not sure if that is the only criterion for the Red Bull drive for 2024.

Asked if the test was a chance for him to step back into his old seat at Red Bull, Ricciardo replied:

“I don't know honestly because last year when I drove the Red Bull the current car after Silverstone, that was let's say pretty legit. I was driving the current car and I knew if I could do something special maybe then the call comes. So I would say that definitely felt a little bit more real. So yeah that's probably the best way I can answer it. So I'm not gonna say no this doesn't but that one I was very aware that this could be something real here. This one is maybe a little bit more, not sure about.”

Ricciardo has had a decent turnaround in performance since the Canadian GP. Barring Silverstone and Hungary, where he was shafted by strategy, the RB driver has managed to show consistency throughout the sessions. With Perez underperforming in the RB20 and the Constructors' Championship under threat, the former Red Bull Racing driver has become a prime candidate for the seat. The race data from the Hungarian and Belgian GP race weekends have made the Milton Keynes bosses consider him for the 2024 drive.

In Hungary, Daniel Ricciardo was set to finish in the points, but an odd strategy by his team made him finish 12th. However, in terms of race pace, he was quick enough to finish near or ahead of Sergio Perez. With another strong drive in Belgium which has guaranteed him a point with tenth place, the Honey Badger is in a good position to negotiate his future with RB and Red Bull over the summer break. Red Bull is supposed to evaluate all their options during the summer break, along with data from the filming day and tests, to decide the most suitable candidate for the drive.