There’s no shortage of change at VCARB this season, according to Daniel Ricciardo. However, the future remains uncertain for him. There could be a significant shift within Red Bull Racing’s sister team. Regardless of what 2025 brings, the Australian believes VCARB is on the right track.
He quickly clarifies that this is not to discredit former team boss Franz Tost, but sometimes change is good. Ricciardo is referring to the approach of the new team leadership. “I think Laurent Mekies, Peter Bayer, and Alan Permane do things a bit differently, in a good way. It’s not that it wasn’t good in Franz Tost’s time, but it’s different.”
The difference lies in the decisions being made and the approach to their own position. “They have worked with other teams, in other organizations. This brings a new dynamic to the team, new decisions are being made.”
Ricciardo can pinpoint the differences, having driven for the team early in his career when it was still known as Scuderia Toro Rosso. Back then, it was truly a junior team of Red Bull. “It doesn’t feel like that anymore. I’m 35 years old, I wouldn’t feel comfortable. We are now making more independent decisions, brave decisions too. That’s a positive change.”
What this means for his own future is yet to be seen. All that’s clear is that Ricciardo will finish the season with the team from Faenza, Italy. Teammate Yuki Tsunoda is the only driver confirmed for the team for 2025. The battle for the second seat is between Ricciardo and New Zealand’s young talent Liam Lawson, who replaced him for a few races last year and performed well.
