Daniel Ricciardo is hoping that his strong performance in qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix will silence the rumors about his future. Prior to the race, there were questions surrounding Ricciardo’s position at Red Bull, with reports suggesting that Liam Lawson could replace him in 2025. However, Ricciardo’s struggles this season have hindered his chances of returning to the parent team. Despite a setback in Sprint Qualifying, Ricciardo bounced back and narrowly missed out on reaching Q3 in qualifying.
Ricciardo believes that the criticism of his performance this year has been exaggerated. He acknowledges that he hasn’t met the expectations he set for himself, but he also points out that the gap between him and his teammate Yuki Tsunoda has never been significant. While Tsunoda has received praise for his one-lap pace, Ricciardo doesn’t feel like he’s being outperformed by someone who isn’t fast. He hopes that his strong showing in qualifying will quiet the critics.
In the lead-up to the race, Ricciardo made it clear that he was focused on his own performance and not getting caught up in speculation about his future. He believes that if he can continue to deliver strong performances, the narrative surrounding his season will change. Ricciardo understands that his position at Red Bull is heavily dependent on his performance on the track, and he is determined to stay focused on that aspect of his career. He hopes that by consistently performing well, he can make Red Bull’s Helmut Marko smile and secure his place on the team.