Daniel Ricciardo makes brutally honest four-word confession as Australia’s Formula 1 future hangs in the balance

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted there are legitimate questions about his future in Formula 1, as the embattled Australian faces a race against time to secure his 2025 seat.

Ricciardo, 34, was offered a Formula 1 lifeline at RB, Red Bull’s junior team, in the hope that strong performances would open the door to a return to the world champions as team-mate to Max Verstappen next year.

However, a slow start to 2024 saw Red Bull decide to stick with Sergio Perez and attention now turns to Ricciardo’s place at RB, with young New Zealand driver Liam Lawson hot on his heels.

But in an interview with Formula 1’s official website, Ricciardo said he is only focusing on the things he can control.

“I tell myself that,” he said.

“The sport is so competitive now. Yes, there’s marketing and other things that go into this sport/business. But at the end of the day, the stopwatch doesn’t lie – and that’s my best way to keep this going for longer.”

Ricciardo has outpaced team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in three of the last four races but regretted his poor qualifying strategy at the previous British Grand Prix.

He talked about what motivates him as Formula 1 enters the second half of the season.

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted he needs to be faster to keep his seat

The Australian’s position in Formula 1 is under great pressure for 2025

“It’s frustrating because I look at myself in the mirror and say I’m really, really good at this, so how do I make sure I do it consistently? Because when I do, I smile. But it’s more positive than negative,” he said.

“There will come a day when I can’t do it as well, but I’d rather have sporadic good days where I show that I still have the capabilities to do something great. And then it’s up to me to unlock it more often.”

‘There will be tough days ahead, there will be lows, but I still enjoy the anticipation of a race week, I love the opportunity.

‘There’s the curiosity – could this week be a standout week, could something special happen? I still believe it could – so that excitement still lies there and remains.

‘The competition is great. Of course I’ve won before and there’s nothing I like more than winning, but at the moment scoring points is our small victory – so that’s the battle.

‘If I succeed in doing that, I will leave the track with a good feeling – and I am sure I will have fun.’