Sep.22 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo appeared near tears after qualifying eight locations behind his teammate in Singapore.
On Sunday, the favored Australian, who has underperformed in recent times, will virtually definitely race in Formulation 1 for the 257th and ultimate time.
“This efficiency most likely makes the choice simpler for Pink Bull,” former F1 driver and Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation president Alex Wurz declared to ORF.
Certainly, main figures at Pink Bull and its second F1 group, RB, are now not actually hiding that Liam Lawson will most likely make his debut in Ricciardo’s cockpit subsequent day out in Austin.
“We’ll announce the choice after Singapore,” group advisor Dr Helmut Marko admitted on Saturday.
“There may be by no means a assure in Formulation 1.”
It’s rumoured Pink Bull needed to take up its 2025 choice on Lawson earlier than the top of September, and should contractually due to this fact have to provide the 22-year-old New Zealander no less than 5 grands prix inside the 2024 season as nicely.
“It’s about large strategic selections for each groups,” RB CEO Peter Bayer advised Sky Deutschland, including that following related discussions in the summertime break, “Singapore is definitely one other milestone.
“After Singapore, there will likely be ultimate talks to debate our lineup for 2025 and different choices,” he added.
“As RB, we even have the duty of growing younger drivers. In precept, it’s about weighing up and figuring out, underneath the management of Dr Marko and Christian Horner, which driver has the best potential to hitch Pink Bull Racing in some unspecified time in the future.
“When this driver will ideally be part of the group, whether or not this 12 months or subsequent 12 months, will likely be determined within the subsequent few days,” Bayer stated. “It’s concerning the total image.”
35-year-old Ricciardo, nonetheless, appeared to know his time was up after qualifying simply P16 in Singapore – as his customary large smile had change into a face that was at instances near tears.
“Sure, after all it could have been good to make an announcement,” stated the Australian. “The Q1 factor is annoying. With all of the sh*t right here, I assumed at present would go nicely.
“I attempt to keep optimistic, however at present was a really pessimistic day,” Ricciardo admitted. “So I’m simply going to drown in my ice bathtub.”
The motive force scenario seems to be very unstable at Pink Bull at current, with Max Verstappen maybe flirting with Mercedes and Aston Martin, and Sergio Perez rumoured to probably retire on the finish of the season.
Pink Bull group boss Christian Horner admits the group is trying in the direction of the long run, hinting that assessing Lawson in 2024 would possibly now be a precedence.
“We need to take our time to think about what the choices for the long run appear like,” he advised Sky Deutschland. “We’re not afraid to look outdoors our pool of drivers.
“George Russell is out of contract after subsequent season. It might be silly to not think about him.”
