Daniel Ricciardo expressed his desire to continue racing under the Red Bull banner next year, emphasizing the need to "earn" his spot at RB, as he continues negotiating with the team.
In the first nine rounds of the 2024 season, Yuki Tsunoda outscored the former Red Bull Racing driver. Ricciardo's only highlights of the season so far are a fourth-place finish in the Miami Sprint race and an eighth-place finish in the Canadian Grand Prix.
With Tsunoda receiving a contract extension, Daniel Ricciardo continues negotiation for the remaining seat and his future in F1. Ahead of the Spanish GP, the Aussie explained that he desires to continue racing at RB, and doesn't see himself joining any other team on the grid. The 34-year-old added he wants to earn his spot on the grid through his performances.
"Obviously, I would like to stay. So as I say, now that I'm back in that Red Bull family, that's where… I really don't see myself anywhere else. So that's where I'd love to stay and continue. I also said, I think, before the weekend in Canada that, you know, I obviously want to earn it. Like I don't just want it to be like, ‘ Yeah. Yeah. OK. Stay another year’," Ricciardo said in the press conference (via FIA.com).
"I obviously want to be here because I know that I still belong here and can do can do performances like I did last week. So it's also up to me just to make sure that I can keep pulling it out. And in that case, then I'll be very happy to stay," he added.
Daniel Ricciardo believes that replicating his performance in the Canadian GP, where he qualified fifth and finished eighth, is key to retaining his seat at RB.
Daniel Ricciardo compliments Yuki Tsunoda's 2024 campaign
Yuki Tsunoda has been putting together an impressive 2024 campaign, outperforming his experienced teammate on most weekends. Nine rounds into the season, he has scored 19 of the team's 28 points.
Daniel Ricciardo admitted he has had more "low weekends" this season but complimented Yuki Tsunoda's results. The Aussie added that having a strong teammate helps him push himself and improves his performance.
"He's having a great year. Absolutely. I think he's been driving really well. It's, let's say, a challenge that I've welcomed, you know. I've had certainly a few more probably low weekends this year than he has. Obviously, you try and turn that around. But I also want to be pushed. I want, obviously, to see where my potential is and where that lies," Ricciardo said during the aforementioned press-conference.
Ricciardo added that Yuki Tsunoda's feedback on the VCARB 01 has been good, and their thoughts on the car have aligned this year, after having differing opinions on the car setup last year.
After nine rounds, Tsunoda occupies 10th place in the standings, two spots ahead of Ricciardo, who trails his RB teammate by 10 points.
