Ricciardo had hoped to secure a race seat for 2023, but with his options now dwindling (only Haas and Williams have vacancies), he recently admitted that he would not be racing next year.
He has been linked with a reserve driver position at Mercedes for next season, ahead of a bid for a seat on the 2024 F1 grid.
For Sainz, who was replaced by Ricciardo at both Renault and McLaren, the difficult situation is a prime example of how F1 drivers must perform every time they get behind the wheel – and they cannot simply rest on their laurels.
“Every driver knows this because it happens on a smaller scale to all of us at every race,” Sainz told Motorsport.com. “Unfortunately, in this sport, you’re only as good as your last race.” If you multiply that by a season, you’re only as good as your last season, which is why Daniel is in such a difficult situation.
“No one remembers your good days; it only matters if you were a half-second off in the last qualifying session or season.” We have nothing we can do about it. It is how the sport perceives us and how the sport treats us.
