Daniel Ricciardo’s Formulation 1 future seems to be more and more unclear however the Australian has downplayed options forward of this week’s Singapore Grand Prix that the night time race can be his final within the sport.

Stories after Baku steered Ricciardo is about to get replaced at RB by Pink Bull junior Liam Lawson, in a transfer which could even come into impact this season.

A clause in Lawson’s contract mentioned that if Pink Bull had not discovered him a race seat by Sept. 15, the day of the Baku race, then they’d to supply him with one in both of its groups subsequent yr — a number of sources have confirmed to ESPN the main points of that clause are appropriate.

Sources at Pink Bull and people near each Ricciardo and Lawson seem uncertain in regards to the scenario or the best way the choice will go — it’s understood racing advisor Helmut Marko is eager for Lawson to step as much as the corporate’s second group, however Pink Bull group boss Christian Horner has at all times been an advocate of Ricciardo staying on.

Requested on Thursday if Sunday’s race could be his final within the sport, Ricciardo mentioned: “I do not suppose so, however, I additionally do not need to stand right here and be the lawyer.

“Look, I might say no, but additionally we all know how this sport works. Folks haven’t seen via a season earlier than. It is nothing new in some methods. So I do not need to even be, ‘oh, 100%, I will wager all my home on it’. I have been round too lengthy.”

Ricciardo mentioned his understanding is the speak behind the scenes about Lawson is all about 2025 and never the approaching set of races.

“My first expectation is about subsequent yr,” Ricciardo mentioned. “In order that’s, to illustrate, the place I am at in the meanwhile. It is the place I am at. I can not give too many particulars, by way of contracts, yeah, our dates just about come into this window now. Mainly I do count on a sure or a no for ’25.

“After which yeah, I do know there’s clearly, I am conscious of some speak and hypothesis about the remainder of the season. However that for me in the meanwhile, I am unaware of. The choice I count on is for subsequent yr. Clearly loopy issues have occurred on this sport. I am additionally not going to face right here too boastful and assured and ‘oh yeah yeah’. Like, I consider I can be, however let’s clearly see.”

Ricciardo has struggled to search out consistency this yr and the hype which accompanied his return to AlphaTauri, as RB was recognized final season, has slowly died out. The unique objective of his comeback was to finally exchange Sergio Pérez at Pink Bull and that was even speculated as a risk forward of the summer time break, however that by no means got here to fruition and seems to have disappeared as a reputable consequence given his type this yr.

Ricciardo steered the rumours have at all times sounded louder exterior the group than inside, joking that they’d in all probability go away once more with one other sturdy weekend.

“These are issues that, as you say, I believe as early as in all probability Japan or Miami, I do not know, there was, am I even going to rock as much as the following race? I did not hear that from the group. However clearly there’s noise about that. You hear that one week, after which I put two good races collectively and Checo does not, and I am, oh, am I going to be within the Pink Bull in the summertime break?”Ricciardo mentioned.

“So yeah look, I believe the primary factor is attempt to not get too excessive, attempt to not get too low. On the finish of the day, deal with myself. That is the place I in all probability realized as properly from the previous, to not get slowed down in an excessive amount of different stuff, as a result of that can at all times be there, that can at all times exist. Management the controllables. And that is me placing my finest foot forwards, and ensuring I am loving what I am doing. As a lot because the yr has had some highs and lows, and even now, standing right here right this moment there’s a variety of strain and hypothesis. I nonetheless am completely satisfied to be right here.”

Sauber has the one obtainable seat away from RB for subsequent yr, however Ricciardo has not acquired a severe strategy from the group a couple of drive.

He steered he wouldn’t look elsewhere if RB went with Lawson, regardless of rekindling his ardour since returning.

“I positively have fallen again in love with the game, post-2022. Yeah, like I’ve loved this season, even when I have never been stoked with each weekend that I’ve carried out. I’ve loved going racing, I’ve loved the competitors once more and driving,”Ricciardo mentioned.

“So from that standpoint, I nonetheless have a variety of love for the game, however I additionally should remind myself, ‘OK, why did I come again?’

“It was to attempt to be on the entrance once more. I get pleasure from it. However whenever you’re not within the factors, for certain it is much less pleasant. I am additionally 35, I have been on the entrance, I’ve skilled the champagne.

“It is like I do not need to hold onto one thing that may not ever come to fruition once more. I’ve definitely had these conversations in my head. So yeah. I would not say that I might soar at any alternative subsequent yr, that is not the case. I would in all probability say peace [out].”