“It Only Counts if You Are…: Carlos Sainz Gives Daniel Ricciardo a Reality Check With Harsh Message

All drivers racing in F1 know that it is a brutally unfair sport. No matter your stature, or your records, if you don’t deliver, there are plenty of others standing in line to replace you. Daniel Ricciardo found it the hard way after he was replaced by his compatriot Oscar Piastri at Mclaren. The Honey badger is most likely to end up without a confirmed seat for next year.

Spanish and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz also admitted that F1 was a cruel business and that the drivers were only as good as their last race. The Spaniard was replaced by Daniel, first at Renault and later, in McLaren.

Daniel Ricciardo terminated his contract with the Woking-based constructors after mutual consent from both parties. Whilst he signed a 3 year deal with the Papaya team, Daniel just hasn’t found his groove for them, resulting in him losing his seat.

Carlos Sainz came to Ricciardo’s rescue and heaped praise on the Aussie. However, he also admitted that F1 drivers have to perform each time they step foot in their car. Sainz explained to Motorsport.com why Daniel was having a tough time lately.

Sainz said, “You’re always as good as your last race or last season in this sport. No one remembers your good days, it only counts if you are 0.5s off in qualifying. There’s nothing we can do about it. It’s how the sport treats us.”

READ MORE: Lando Norris Astonished With Daniel Ricciardo’s Incredible Quality: “He Knows the Lyrics…”

The Ferrari driver added, “That is why the highs are so high. When you win, you’re a hero: your best weekend and you’re the best driver in the world. No one is better than you. But then, when you are through a bad moment, it’s a sport that is very tough.”

F1 boss offers Daniel Ricciardo an unusual lifeline

Alpine and AlphaTauri announced their latest recruits recently. Pierre Gasly made a jump to Alpine whereas AlphaTauri signed up Nyck de Vries. With seats quickly filling up, Daniel Ricciardo has to act fast if he’s to stay in F1 next season. Moreover, he’s been handed a lifeline by Haas boss Guenther Steiner.

Steiner put the onus on the Australian driver to make the first move if he wanted to drive for Haas. Guenther told motorsportweek.com, “If he’s interested in us, he’s not shy to call me up. I am not going to chase him down.”

He also added, “I want him to decide what he wants to do for himself, first, before being talked into something. I think he’s a good driver and I don’t know how he got in the situation he’s in now, but I think he needs to come clean with himself and decide what he’s going to do.”

If Daniel plans on staying in F1 next season, he needs to decide quickly as time is against him and only 2 vacant seats on the grid remain.

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If there’s anyone capable of making a comeback after what he’s endured, it is Daniel Ricciardo. The Aussie is one of the most genuine and funny blokes on the grid. Do you think Daniel will sign for the Haas team?