Daniel Ricciardo Pursuing $60M Contract After Sudden RB Immediate Termination Of Contract

Daniel Ricciardo Pursuing $60M Contract After Sudden Red Bull Departure

Daniel Ricciardo is reportedly negotiating a $60 million deal following his abrupt release from Red Bull Racing, adding to the excitement surrounding the remaining 2025 Formula 1 driver seats. The transfer market is still active, with a few spots left and plenty of speculation about who will land where.

Red Bull recently announced that Ricciardo will not be competing for them for the rest of the 2024 season. In his place, Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson will finish the year, having impressed when filling in for an injured Ricciardo previously. Lawson’s performance is seen as an audition, with many expecting him to partner Yuki Tsunoda at the team for the 2025 season. This could mark the end of Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career, following a string of lackluster performances. However, with questions surrounding Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull, Lawson might also make a case for a seat in the top team sooner than expected.

Beyond Red Bull, Sauber is the only other team with an open seat, creating a competitive environment among several potential drivers. Candidates include the current driver Valtteri Bottas, as well as younger prospects like Gabriel Bortoleto and Franco Colapinto. Sauber may opt for experience, but the 2025 season will still feature several rookies, such as Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, Jack Doohan joining Alpine, and Oliver Bearman taking a full-time role at Haas.

As several teams make key changes, others have opted for stability. Aston Martin will retain Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, while Red Bull has Max Verstappen and Perez under contract for 2025 and beyond, though Perez’s inconsistent performances could put his seat in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon have extended their commitments to their teams. However, many drivers, including Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, Franco Colapinto, Kevin Magnussen, and Daniel Ricciardo, have yet to secure seats for 2025. With only a few spots remaining, there may not be room for all of them on next year’s grid.

Ricciardo’s pursuit of a $60 million contract raises questions about whether his future lies within Formula 1 or if he is considering other motorsport ventures or business opportunities. As the silly season continues to unfold, the F1 landscape remains as unpredictable as ever.