Daniel Ricciardo’s second stint in Formula 1 has come to an abrupt end, as it was confirmed that he will part ways with RB after competing in the Singapore Grand Prix. Many race fans probably saw this coming when he was visibly emotional during his post-race interview after he was named Driver of the Day.
“A lot of emotions. I am aware it could be it. Just exhausted after the race, so a flood of emotions and feelings and exhaustion. Just wanted to savour the moment. If it is (my last race), I guess a nice way to say ‘adios’. I am not too sure what the plan is, but I mean, look, I’ve obviously got a good idea,” Ricciardo said.
The eight-time Grand Prix winner wasn’t supposed to go down this way. After making his comeback with AlphaTauri last year in Hungary to replace Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo was supposed to make a run for the second Red Bull seat to potentially reunite with Max Verstappen.
However, a poor run of results and a contract extension for Sergio Perez, despite his struggles, ruined Ricciardo’s plans. And as RB move in a different direction, it remains to be seen what the 35-year-old Australian will do next.
Continue reading below as SBOTOP brings you the latest Formula 1 2024 updates.
Midseason shakeup for RB
Following the bombshell of Daniel Ricciardo’s departure, RB announced that Liam Lawson will take the Aussie’s seat for the remainder of the 2024 season.
The New Zealand international emerged as a breakout star for RB last season when he filled in admirably for the then-injured Daniel Ricciardo, as he produced one of the team’s best results by securing a P9 finish during the Singapore Grand Prix.
After spending most of this year as a reserve driver, the 22-year-old will return to the paddock in the US Grand Prix, which will happen three weeks from now.
RB will use the final six races of the year to assess Lawson against teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who is having his best Formula 1 campaign this year and is expected to take one of the team’s seats next term.
Is Bottas (or Guanyu) on his way out of Kick Sauber?
Speaking of shakeups, there is another one on the horizon for Kick Sauber, as principal Mattia Binotto has the huge task of finding a suitable teammate for Nico Hulkenburg next season.
This means that Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas are fighting for their jobs in the final six races of 2024 because there’s only one seat available. Bottas recently admitted in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that their situation is a “little stressful.”
“There’s always the contract situation which is an extra stress – it can be, let’s just say, but things are progressing. We’re still almost in daily contact with Mattia figuring out what each party wants and yeah, that’s about it,” the 10-time race winner said.
The Formula 1 2024 odds aren’t optimistic on their chances because they’re at the bottom of the drivers’ standings. Neither entered the points territory this year, with Zhou Guanyu being the closest when he had a P11 finish in Bahrain.
Kick Sauber has a list of drivers to choose from, and one of them is Gabriel Bortoleto, who is currently first in the ongoing Formula 2 championship.
Before competing in Formula 2, Bortoleto won the 2023 F3 championship under Trident. With his meteoric rise, it feels inevitable he’ll take a Formula 1 seat soon, and Kick Sauber could offer him the chance to do so.
Robert Shwartzman, Zane Maloney, and Theo Pourchaire are some of the other young choices for Mattia Binotto. However, if he decides to stick with someone with experience, it’s essentially a battle between Guanyu and Bottas.
Alpine go for youth to replace Ocon
Alpine had one seat available when Esteban Ocon announced his departure following a five-year stint with the French squad. Ocon will be replacing Nico Hulkenburg at Haas, and he’ll be joined by Ollie Bearman.
The Enstone-based outfit didn’t look far to find Ocon’s replacement, as they confirmed that reserve driver Jack Doohan will take the second seat alongside Pierre Gasly to complete their lineup for the 2025 campaign.
Doohan joined Alpine’s academy in 2022 and bided his time. The 21-year-old Australian international completed six FP1 sessions for the team and tested their car on separate occasions.
Alpine are in the midst of a rebuild since they lost nearly all of their senior management for the past 18 months, so investing in a guy like Doohan while they’re in transition is the correct move.
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