Ricciardo reflects on failed dream to return to Red Bull: 'I came up short'

According to Ricciardo, there is a realistic chance he will not drive in Austin. "I think for all of us in a way, obviously Checo as well, and at times it feels like it's going one way, then it goes the other."

The Australian wondered if this weekend's result will have any impact on the incoming decision. "Obviously, there was a lot of emphasis on this weekend, and I would have loved a better weekend, and who knows if that would have changed anything or if the decision's been made already, even before the weekend, you know what I mean?"

Ricciardo: 'I don't want to be fighting for a point every now and then'

Things change quickly in Formula 1. Just a month ago, Ricciardo was the favourite to replace Perez at Red Bull after the Mexican had been struggling. Now, it looks like Ricciardo will be the one losing his seat. "Yeah, I'm obviously prepared for it, and that's why over the weekend I tried to acknowledge a few things as well with myself, and I think also acknowledge why I came back into the sport. You know, sometimes you've got to see the big picture, and I always said I don't just want to be a guy that's here on the grid and fighting for a point every now and then, which has kind of been how this year's gone," he revealed.

Ricciardo 'comes up short' on Red Bull return dream

The VCARB driver explained that a fairytale return to the Red Bull Racing team has always been his goal. "Obviously, this year, the purpose was to try and then do good enough to get back into Red Bull and obviously fight for wins again and see if I've still got it. I feel like obviously I came up short with that, so I think then it's okay." 

'What else am I fighting for?'

Ricciardo, in an honest fashion, revealed that he also does not want to keep a seat occupied at the expense of young talent. "What else am I fighting for here? What else is going to give me fulfilment? Because I, well, I've been a young driver as well, and at some point, you know, I don't just want to take up space also. But obviously, you have to be selfish. But I think for me, if I'm not able to then fight at the front with Red Bull, then, yeah, as I said, I have to ask myself, what am I staying on the grid for? So that's something I've also come to peace with." An emotional and reflective Daniel Ricciardo concluded.

If this does turn out to be his last weekend in the sport, the Australian has given fans some of the greatest moments in the recent history of F1 and will be dearly missed in the paddock. 

This article was written in collaboration with Sandy van Wijngaarden

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