Ricciardo: "If I get good results, the Red Bull seat could present itself"

That seat does currently belong to Sergio Perez, but with his contract running out after the conclusion of this season, and there being no news of a contract renewal between the Mexican and Red Bull, it leaves that position open for speculation. Though Perez has so far finished second in both races.

One name being heavily linked to that seat for next year is former Red Bull and current Racing Bulls driver Daniel Ricciardo. After missing out in 2023, he returns to the grid for the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne.

Ricciardo ready to replace Perez?

The Australian was the reserve driver at the beginning of the 2023 season for Red Bull but replaced Nyck de Vries halfway through the season. He impressed behind the wheel, allowing him to be on the grid again. Now, with the opportunity presenting itself, the Honey Badger must know that some good results could mean he returns to his former team. However, Ricciardo says that he "does not buy into these stories."

"I know what my position is in the team. I know what, let's say some potential things could happen if I do really well. But I think any team, if you have a really strong season, it could lead to maybe something different, or increase your position where you currently are. It's always our objective to do the best we can, and I think whatever happens will happen or can happen, but my objective is to drive this car as well as I can.

"I'm definitely not looking too far ahead. So am I thinking about the Red Bull seat that you speak of? No. I know if I do some really good results, maybe then that can present itself potentially, but it's not something I think about because, as you said 12 months ago, I wasn't in this position. I didn't know if I would be back in this position. So I think I just take it, weekend after weekend"

"I know my job and what I need to do. It's through experience as well, but the more you get caught up in that stuff, the more you take focus away from my job. And that's driving as fast as possible. I know we do a lot of other things during a race weekend, but that's why we're here ultimately to push the car to the limit and try to make it as good as it can be."

Ricciardo on Helmut Marko's comments

Despite all this, Ricciardo is very happy to be driving at his home Grand Prix again. "It's something I look forward to, being here, racing at home. But, as you said, after the first two races, it hasn't been amazing. But it's not a concern. I think it's two races out of 24, and there are a lot of new people in the team, so it's very early, but I do definitely want to have a strong weekend and do well."

The Australian was also asked about the comments made by Helmut Marko and whether the speculation surrounding the Red Bull consultant was offputting in any way: "It's not annoying. The most important part is the driving, but a big part of it is you guys, talking to you guys. And hearing when things go well, obviously, everyone's talking positively, and when they don't, they don't talk so positively, so that's part of it.

"Also, the more I get into the sport, the more I just know that I'm back here because I believe I can do it. I believe I belong here. When people say, 'Do you have a point to prove or anything?', or, 'Do you need to keep people happy or please anyone?', I'm here for me, it's honestly because I know I can still do it. I do want to make people proud, but if someone says something, I know it already because I've told myself that.

"Of course, I want to qualify for Q3, I want to get these results that I believe I can. But it's tight, we're in such a tight midfield, and like Bahrain, in qualifying, I knew I didn't put the lap together, and I should have, and I put my hand up for that. And that's the difference from maybe P14 to a Q3, and I think Q1 in Saudi Arabia, from P9 to P16 was less than a tenth. So you can very quickly look like a hero or not, and that's where every tenth counts and that's where obviously I look to myself first."