Daniel Ricciardo will walk a contract "tightrope" in 2018. That is the view of the Australian's countryman Mark Webber, referring to the fact that Ricciardo is on the prowl for a potential move from Red Bull for 2019.
"The first part of the year is very important for him," Webber told Melbourne newspaper The Age. "He is on a tightrope. There is no question."
But he said that while Ricciardo is gambling slightly by stalling, 28-year-old Ricciardo's F1 future is "safe". "It's just a question if he is wants the absolute perfect team in '19 and trying to get number 1 status somewhere in those teams. That's what he would love to achieve," Webber said. (GMM)
I order to achieve a clear no1 status he would have to move to: Either mcLaren(Alonso going??)/Renault/Williams/Haas discounting the others.
This is because of:
Ferrari/Mercedes: More likely will swap Hamilton/Vettel. Mercedes will want an German driver, Hamilton will want to proof that he can succeed with Ferrari.
Redbull: Max is tied to them and he will have an exact clause in his contract guarding against these this situation.
Renault: Make complete sense if he desires no1 status.
But for me:
Actually staying with Redbull makes much more sense since they will get access to competitive engine either way in 2019. Duelling it out with Verstappen for wins or podiums and if they are lucky for an WC.
Mercedes has been on top for quite some time, F1 logic says that they will be on a downward path now. Also gaining number 1 status in a team without having an WC seems somewhat naive.
Hamilton/Vettel could do this based on their previous success Ricciardo can't.
I could see Ferrari making a play for Hamilton by swapping Vettel and signing Ricciardo if there are no number 1 clauses.
in order of likeliness:
1-Stay at redbull
2-Move to Mercedes (replace Bottas)
3-Ferrari
4-Renault (no1 status)
5-Williams (no1 Status)
6-mcLare(If Alonso had enough)
Mark Webber keep projecting himself on Daniel. It's quite a different situation. Ricciardo is easily a top 3 driver, and probably one of the most likeable drivers on the grid. He is probably choosing among options. There's no tightrope. Red Bull gave a reasonable deadline and by then we will all have a good sense on (1) How good the Red Bull is, (2) Botta's performance relative to Lewis, (3) Ricciardo's own performance relative to Verstappen and (4) whether Ferrari will opt to maintain mediocre Raikkonen as their #2 driver. I think Daniel will stay in Red Bull, but mostly because I don't anticipate Mercedes dropping Valteri for him. Also because there is Esteban Ocon waiting in line if he has another strong season.
It is completely different. Ricciardo is everything Webber wasnt: competitive, likable and marketable. Problem is that I dont think Vettel will let him near Ferrari, and Hammy will certainly not make it easy for him to rob Bottas' of that seat. So what good teams remain? Anything else would be an outright downgrade.
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I order to achieve a clear no1 status he would have to move to: Either mcLaren(Alonso going??)/Renault/Williams/Haas discounting the others.
This is because of:
Ferrari/Mercedes: More likely will swap Hamilton/Vettel. Mercedes will want an German driver, Hamilton will want to proof that he can ... [Read more]