Formula 1: 5 replacement candidates for Sebastian Vettel in 2021
By Asher Fair
Daniel Ricciardo
While he was still at Red Bull Racing in the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Daniel Ricciardo had been rumored as a possible future driver for Mercedes or Ferrari.
He ultimately did leave Red Bull Racing after the 2018 season, but he did so by signing with Renault, and that decision has not paid off thus far in more ways than one.
It is also worth noting to Renault have signed Esteban Ocon to replace Nico Hulkenberg for the 2020 season and beyond, and team managing director Cyril Abiteboul hinted that the French marque could sign a young driver from the Renault Driver Academy ahead of the 2021 season to pair with the 23-year-old Frenchman.
This would mean that Ricciardo, much like Hulkenberg is now and likely will be for the 2020 season, will be without a ride for the 2021 season unless he lands elsewhere, and Ferrari could be the perfect landing spot.
Even in equipment that is far inferior to that of Red Bull Racing, Ricciardo has done a solid job, as expected, in his first season at Renault, and it wouldn’t be shocking if that success continues into next year.
He could be a perfect selection for Ferrari; he is experienced, he is fast, and it would be clear upon signing that his ultimate role within the team would be to be more of a team player than he is now with Charles Leclerc on the rise.
While that aspect of competition with Max Verstappen may have played a role in his departure from Red Bull Racing, it has become clear, if it wasn’t already, that his results at Ferrari as a number two driver would still be many times better than his results as an anything driver at Renault, just as his results at Red Bull Racing were even despite a boatload of mechanical issue-related retirements.