Daniel Ricciardo will remain at RB after the Formula 1 summer break, Motorsport.com has learned, as Red Bull remain silent on any driver changes for now.
As part of the mid-season review of the Red Bull and RB teams, key representatives including team principal Christian Horner and motorsport advisor Helmut Marko met at the company’s factory in Milton Keynes on Monday.
While the main topic of talks was what to do with Sergio Perez (with Red Bull opting to continue with him for now), some of the talks also concerned the RB team.
Yuki Tsunoda dreamed of moving to Red Bull but was expected to stay in his position, while Ricciardo's future was more open.
The Australian has had an uneven start to the 2024 season. Despite some flashes of speed, he has struggled to maintain his high form.
He emerged as a candidate for the Red Bull job if Perez were to be axed, but there was also a chance he could be axed with immediate effect and replaced by Liam Lawson if there were no signs of progress.
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 VCARB 01 Team
Photo: Sam Bloxham / Motorsports images
However, given that Ricciardo has clearly improved his form and moved into the lead in Belgium last week, Red Bull is happy enough with his performance that there is no need to make any changes just yet.
RB has long stressed that while Ricciardo struggled at the start of the year, it was important for the team to work hard to make him more comfortable in the car.
CEO Peter Bayer recently told Motorsport.com: “Daniel has certainly helped us a lot.
“Looking back to last year when he joined the team, he brought a whole new energy and spirit to the team, and he was incredibly helpful in supporting Yuki. Yuki recently stated that he is still learning from Daniel.
“That’s part of our job, and part of our shareholder mission, is to develop drivers. And that’s what we’re doing now.”
Ricciardo is expected to take part in a filming day with RB at Imola on Wednesday, where Lawson is also expected to feature.
Ahead of the recent doubleheader in Hungary and Belgium, Ricciardo made no secret of the fact that he knew his future in Formula 1 depended on him giving his all.
“I wasn’t told anything, but I said to myself, ‘Fuck, do it’ – go fast,” he said. “You’ve got two races to give it your all and it’s honestly nothing to do with thinking about promotion. Now it’s my turn to just secure something for next year.
“So I deliberately approached this weekend with the thought that these two races could be the two most important not only of my season but potentially of my career.
“Well, yes, they didn't tell me anything specific. But I've told myself enough!”
