Ricciardo makes clear F1 future assertion after RB axe

Daniel Ricciardo has no intention of taking up a reserve driver role to further his F1 career - believing age may have finally caught up with him.

Ricciardo's F1 comeback is over after RB decided to release the Australian and hand reserve driver Liam Lawson the opportunity to cement his future in the sport as he will partner Yuki Tsunoda for the remaining six grands prix of the season.

After being released by McLaren at the end of 2022, Ricciardo was initially handed a lifeline by Red Bull - the team with whom he won seven grands prix between 2014-2018 - by taking on a third driver role.

The 35-year-old took part in valuable simulator sessions for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez before proving himself in a Pirelli tyre test at Silverstone last July that resulted in him replacing Nyck de Vries at then AlphaTauri.

With the axe falling for a second time, Ricciardo does not see a way back, especially as he has no intention of simply making up the numbers, as he felt he was doing to a certain extent with RB.

Asked specifically if a reserve driver role was a possibility, he replied, "no", before adding: "It made a lot of sense to keep one foot in the door, with the big picture to try and get back in at Red Bull.

"I think if I was to do that again, there's not really...I'm not going to restart my career. I'm also 35."

Ricciardo - 'A little bit of an age thing'

Expanding on how age has played a role, he said: "I still showed the pace that I've had over the years, but it's been evident that it's been harder for me to show it every weekend.

"Maybe that is a little bit of an age thing. It definitely came easier for me when I was 25 as opposed to 35. But also, maybe the competition is just increasing. That's probably a common thing with all sports."

Referring to F1 in particular, he said: "The simulators are getting better, the kids are getting younger, and they have access to all on-boards now, so they can watch and study everyone.

"So maybe it's just the levels have increased, and it's probably a tall task for me to fight at that level, week in, week out, so I can't be disappointed with that.

"I'm happy that once upon a time I could do it, and that was a lot of fun."

Determined to leave the sport "with good memories", he insisted he did not want to find himself "in that place where it's just a grind, and I'm out in Q1 every weekend. That's obviously not fun."