Red Bull Racing to Assess Driver Performance Post-Singapore Amidst Ricciardo Uncertainty

In a significant development for Formula 1 fans, Red Bull Racing's team principal, Laurent Mekies, has announced that the team will be conducting a comprehensive review of its drivers' performances following this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix. This evaluation comes amid swirling speculation concerning Daniel Ricciardo's future with the team.

While Mekies refrained from addressing rumors about Ricciardo's potential replacement, he confirmed that this assessment is part of the team's regular protocol. “We’re doing driver performance reviews every so often—it’s quite normal,” Mekies stated during an interview with Sky Sports. “We have made it public that we will sit down together after Singapore to review our performances.”

Ricciardo's situation is particularly precarious; he was dismissed by McLaren at the end of 2022 after a series of unsatisfactory results just a year before his contract was set to end. He rejoined the Formula 1 grid last year with Red Bull's sister team, AlphaTauri, stepping in for Nyck de Vries.

This season, Ricciardo has accumulated 12 points over 17 races, compared to teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who has racked up 22 points. With Tsunoda's contract confirmed for next season, the pressure is firmly on Ricciardo, who indicated that he anticipates clarity about his future following the race weekend. “That’s when decisions will be made,” he revealed to the official F1 channel.

Despite the challenges, Ricciardo believes he has shown signs of improvement as the season has progressed. “Around Montreal, when the pressure was definitely building, I think since then it’s been certainly more positive. I’ll keep trying, and if it’s enough, it is. If not, that’s up to Red Bull,” he expressed.

Ricciardo acknowledged the constant speculation surrounding driver placements, indicating a level of resilience to the uncertainties that come with the sport. “One week it’s me, the next it’s another driver fighting for their careers. It’s the merry-go-round of the sport,” he said, reflecting on the reality of F1 competition.

As the Singapore Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on the team and Ricciardo, looking for answers that could reshape the lineup for the upcoming 2024 season. Will Ricciardo's performance convince the team to retain him, or will he face another shake-up in his career? Only time will tell!