With the 2018 Formula One Championship about to start off in Melbourne this coming weekend, there will be a lot more interest in local hero Daniel Ricciardo.
Ricciardo’s contract with Aston Martin Red Bull Racing will be up at the end of the year, leaving many wondering where will he be in 2019.
Essentially he has three options.
#1 Stay with Red Bull
It will all depend on how the car performs in the first few rounds of the season.
As the team has already signed young Max Verstappen until 2020, the Red Bull bosses have already confessed that they are wanting to build the team around Verstappen for the future.
If the car is not up to the pace of Ferrari or Mercedes by Canada, I think Ricciardo would have made up his mind.
#2 Ferrari
It’s clear that if Ricciardo were to go to Ferrari, he would play the role as the second driver, as Seb Vettel currently holds number one status at the prancing horse.
Kimi Raikkonen only has a one-year contract with Ferrari and has not been performing up to standards that Vettel has set. But would Ricciardo suit the Ferrari brand?
#3 Mercedes
I think it’s fair to say that Mercedes are still the favourites for the Championship.
They have dominated the sport for the past four years with four double world titles in a row.
However, Ricciardo would be entering the same scenario as he would if he were to join Ferrari.
(Aron Suveg/Red Bull Content Pool).
Lewis Hamilton is clearly the number one driver and Valtteri Bottas has a one-year contract.
The seat that Bottas currently holds is the most sought after in the Formula One paddock right now.
Ricciardo has said that if he were to move away from Red Bull he would not want to be considered a team’s number two driver.
I think that if Red Bull are fighting for victories in the first few races of the season, he will stay but only sign a one-year contract, keeping his options open for the following season.
If Red Bull a not on the podium consistently, he will move. Where? I think Mercedes.
Ricciardo’s outgoing personality does not suit Ferrari and he would be shunned by team bosses.
Having Hamilton as a teammate would make them the strongest driver paring seen in recent years.
A move to Mercedes would give Ricciardo a genuine chance of challenging week in week out for victories as well as the hunt for his maiden title.
Simoc
Guest
I reckon Ricciardo is highly regarded in F1 and is on a similar level to Vettel, Hamilton, Verstappen. Vettel and Hamilton wouldn't really want him as a team-mate, taking points away. Verstappen has that. I reckon the target should be Renault or whoever has the best engineering brains. Its a new deal from 2020 so be in a position to be Number 1 in a team. Mclaren has been nothing but cheap talk for many years as has Alonso.
anon
Roar Pro
Mercedes dominance and margin over their rivals is truly unprecedented. Ferrari's dominance between 2000-04 doesn't compare to Mercedes dominance. 2000 the McLaren was better than the Ferrari. 2001 Ferrari had a clear edge but the Williams was competitive at many races (just lack reliability). 2002 Ferrari was dominant (but not to the degree of Mercedes 2014-16) 2003 there wasn't much between Ferrari, Williams and McLaren. Michael Schumacher wins that championship in a Williams. 2004 Ferrari was dominant (but not to the degree of Mercedes 2014-16) There were only two truly dominant seasons out of 5 and neither compared to the Mercedes edge between 2014-16. Red Bull is an even worse comparison. 2010 there were 5 drivers who could win the championship with a couple races left. 2011 Red Bull was dominant (but nothing like Mercedes in any of their years) 2012 7 different winners first 7 races. Have we had 7 different winners between 2013-17) 2013 Nothing in it up until the midseason break. Teams other than Red Bull made the calculated to commit to 2014 (first hybrid year) after the break.
anon
Roar Pro
I think Verstappen will extend his dominance over Ricciardo this year. Vettel and Hamilton won't be leaving their respective teams in the near future. The best Ricciardo will do is a drive for someone like Williams if he doesn't want to be Verstappen's deputy at Red Bull.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
Hi Rob, I would suggest the best thing Danny Ric can do is beat Max. If he falls behind his teammate, then he loses his bargaining power, esp with so many youngsters coming through the junior Ferrari and Mercedes programs.
Kenw
Guest
Just based on historical trends it would seem that a move to Mercedes could be dangerous at this point. Going back to the 80's you regularly see 1 manufacturer get 2-3 champs in a row but then dropping off the pace. The last 20 years though it gets quite specific with Ferrari having a run of 5, Renault grabbing a couple, then Red Bull getting 4 and now Mercedes getting 4. I don't know of any specific reasons for Mercedes to fall away but banking on 6,7,8 years on top of the pile seems a long shot. Besides he would still be a no.2 driver to Hamilton, and only once in those runs I mentioned did the apparent no.2 driver get the trophy.
Rob Davison
Roar Rookie
I think it's highly unlikely Ricciardo will pursue McLaren. McLaren basically have to win several races and contend for the championships for him to consider a move there. McLaren is also set on keeping Alonso and Vandoorne for future years.
tim
Guest
McLaren may show real promise for future seasons, but Alonso may lose patience and move on. That opens up a seat.