Daniel Ricciardo has admitted he thought it was attainable he would exchange Sergio Perez at Purple Bull for the rest of the 2024 Method 1 season.
Purple Bull workforce principal Christian Horner launched a press release firstly of the summer season break to substantiate Perez would proceed as Max Verstappen’s team-mate from this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix – reside on Sky Sports activities F1.
Perez, who signed a brand new two-year cope with Purple Bull earlier this season, got here underneath growing stress earlier than the four-week break as he had completed no higher than seventh because the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Might and suffered 4 Q1 eliminations.
With Yuki Tsunoda seemingly not in favour to maneuver as much as Purple Bull and Ricciardo exhibiting some good performances similtaneously Perez’s troublesome outcomes, many individuals thought the Australian could be promoted to the principle workforce for the ultimate 10 races this 12 months.
“I didn’t rule it out,” mentioned Ricciardo on the opportunity of changing Perez. “I believed possibly one thing may occur however I additionally did not count on it or get my hopes up.
“I was aware ‘maybe something changes’, but I just thought: ‘Do what I’m doing and if I get a call, I get a call.’ I didn’t get a call but that’s what I mentally prepared myself for.”
Ricciardo: Lawson deserves F1 seat
Ricciardo, who doesn’t have a contract for subsequent 12 months, has made it clear that he desires to return to Purple Bull.
The Purple Bull state of affairs is difficult by Liam Lawson, who will “certainly” be in one of many Purple Bull or RB vehicles subsequent 12 months, in keeping with workforce advisor Helmut Marko.
Which means certainly one of Perez, Ricciardo or Tsunoda will likely be left with out a seat within the Purple Bull household in 2025.
“I have every opportunity in front of me and that’s the beauty, it’s up to me,” Ricciardo advised Sky Sports activities F1. “Yes, there is always pressure from myself, and that of the Red Bull system, but I know if I do a job, I will have a seat and somewhere to race.”
Ricciardo and Lawson examined the 2024 RB automotive at Imola in the course of the summer season break.
Lawson has been on the sidelines this 12 months as a reserve driver, regardless of impressing within the 5 race weekends he substituted for Ricciardo at AlphaTauri, now known as RB, final 12 months.
“I got to see Liam drive the car last year and I think he did a great job and is worthy of a seat on the grid,” mentioned Ricciardo.
“In a way, I’m happy for him. If he’s guaranteed a seat on the grid next year, that’s good because he is a deserving driver.
“What which means for me might be a bit unknown but when I carry out, they may discover a spot for me someplace!”
Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Dutch GP schedule
Friday August 23
9.05am: F1 Academy: Apply One
11am: Dutch GP Apply One (session begins 11.30am)
2.45pm: Dutch GP Apply Two (session begins 3pm)
4.25pm: F1 Academy: Apply Two
5.15pm: The F1 Present
Saturday August 24
9.10am: F1 Academy: Qualifying
10.15am: Dutch GP Apply Three (session begins 10.30am)
1pm: Dutch GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: DUTCH GP QUALIFYING
4pm: F1 Academy: Race One
Sunday August 25
9.40am: F1 Academy: Race Two
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Dutch GP build-up
2pm: The DUTCH GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Dutch GP response
Method 1 returns after the summer season break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime.
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and will likely be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this 12 months at no additional price. Discover out extra right here.