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Is Daniel Ricciardo About To Retire? Or Will He Pull Off A 'Hero' Level Manoeuvre Instead?

As the Formula 1 season nears its conclusion and teams finalize their drivers for 2025, the future of beloved Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo remains uncertain.

At 35, Ricciardo is currently racing for RB — Red Bull's junior team — alongside Yuki Tsunoda. However, his destination for the 2025 season is still undecided as drivers gear up for the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend.

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Is he on the brink of retirement, or about to make the most significant move of his career?

Which seats are available for Daniel Ricciardo in the 2025 Formula 1 season?

As it stands, there are only two seats left open for the Formula 1 2025 season: Ricciardo‘s current position at RB, and the second seat at Sauber.

Nonetheless, another seat could become available at Red Bull if current driver Sergio Perez continues to underperform. Although Perez’s seat is technically secured for 2025, it is well known that F1 seats are never fully guaranteed (unless, of course, you’re Lance Stroll and your father owns an F1 team).

Could a career in scootering be Ricciardo’s next move? (Image: Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Where will Daniel Ricciardo race in 2025?

According to Sky Sports commentator David Croft, Daniel Ricciardo has set his sights on one seat — and that's Checo’s.

“It’s the ultimate hero or zero for him – he either replaces Sergio Perez or he doesn’t drive in Formula 1. You can’t get a more hero or zero than that,” Croft told Nine.

Croft believes Ricciardo made a significant error when he left Red Bull in 2018. After his departure, he raced with Renault and McLaren before returning to Red Bull as a reserve driver in 2023.

“I feel really sorry for Daniel. He is a tremendous talent who has excited and delighted us all for many years in Formula 1,” Croft said.

“But he made the wrong choice. He should never have left Red Bull in the first place.”

Could this be the end of the shoey? (Image: EPA/VALDRIN XHEMAJ)

Red Bull have some decisions to make

While Ricciardo is eager to return to the main Red Bull team, he is not the only contender the racing powerhouse must consider.

Across their two teams, Red Bull features Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo, and also New Zealand rookie Liam Lawson.

Lawson appears to be the most suitable candidate for the vacant seat at RB — a junior team designed as a proving ground for young drivers.

“Red Bull are keen to promote Liam Lawson. They don’t want to leave him on the sidelines any longer than necessary, and Tsunoda is performing well enough to warrant another drive,” Croft said.

However, even if Perez eventually loses his seat, Ricciardo may not have the results needed to claim it.

“Sergio is the weak link. In terms of current form, is Danny Ric driving well enough to replace Sergio Perez? It’s so hard to say,” Croft noted.

“He’s not consistently outperforming Yuki Tsunoda, and Red Bull clearly don’t believe Yuki Tsunoda is suitable for the second seat on the main team.

“Logically, how do you then promote Danny Ric to that seat? Unless the decision is based on factors other than track performance?”