Daniel Ricciardo on Standby for Ferrari in Case of Vettel Departure

The future of a certain Sebastian Vettel is currently the hot topic of discussion off late. However, the German 4-time world champion insists that he will stay put in Ferrari. Contrary to what Vettel believes, that is not what Ferrari believe as they are already formulating a backup plan. In the unlikely event that Sebastian Vettel hangs up his boots, Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo is being viewed as the ideal replacement.

The German driver is declared that his contract runs until the end of the 2020 F1 season. Unfortunately for him, the rumour mill continues to churn, with claims that he has grown disillusioned with the sport.

If in the event that does happen, Scuderia Ferrari will not want to be caught in the situation that befell Mercedes when Nico Rosberg suddenly announced his retirement.

Daniel Ricciardo had been linked to the Italian outfit as early as the 2018 Formula One season. However, the move was never finalised and Ferrari stuck with Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.

At the time, some reports suggested that financial reasons were to blame for Scuderia Ferrari not roping in the Australian. In other words, they were unwilling to pay Ricciardo’s salary on top of Vettel’s. As a result, Daniel Ricciardo was in Red Bull overalls for one more season before he penned a two-year deal with Renault.

Thought-provokingly, Auto Action claims that the Renault contract includes a specific clause. According to that, Daniel Ricciardo is free to leave at the end of the 2019 season, only if he has an “offer to join Mercedes or Ferrari”.

Auto Action also claims that Ferrari put out “informal feelers via intermediaries to the Ricciardo” camp. It is also note-worthy that Ricciardo is not the Maranello outfit’s sole target.

Apparently, Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas is also an option unless Mercedes take up their option on him for 2020.

Auto Action, though, claims that even if Mercedes don’t take up their option on Bottas it doesn’t mean he is out, they may just want more time to decide Lewis Hamilton’s 2020 team-mate.