Daniel Ricciardo, one of the few drivers yet to secure a contract for 2025, returned to Visa RB full-time this year. However, he quickly found himself overshadowed by teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Despite this, Ricciardo remains unfazed about his future in Formula 1 and feels little pressure from the team management. “As long as I perform, everything is fine,” he asserts.
Media speculation has often put Daniel Ricciardo under pressure. The 35-year-old driver has, according to some, been outperformed too often by a rampant Yuki Tsunoda. Reserve driver Liam Lawson, who proved himself during five stand-in appearances in 2023, was mentioned as a possible replacement for the Australian. However, an early driver swap did not occur, and Ricciardo survived the summer break. He now realizes that it’s time to step up his performance.
Performance is Key
“I am certain that I will finish the rest of the season,” assured Daniel Ricciardo after the Italian Grand Prix. “As long as I keep focusing on myself. When I perform well, there is no reason to change anything; as long as I perform, everything is fine.” The Perth native pays no attention to what is being said in the media. “It doesn’t matter what is being said,” he explained. “What matters is what my hands and feet do in the cockpit.”
Despite all the speculation, Daniel Ricciardo has felt little pressure from Visa RB or Red Bull. “No one has been unreasonable,” he continued. “I have never been singled out or anything like that; no one has said, ‘Do this differently.’ I know what needs to be improved, but I have known Helmut (Marko) for a long time. Perhaps that’s why there have been no tough conversations; I know better than anyone what can be improved.”
