Daniel Ricciardo: 2021 driver market could cause 'real shake-up'

Daniel Ricciardo is predicting a “real shake-up” in Formula 1 with a whole host of drivers on deals that currently expire at the end of the 2020 season.

The major overhaul coming Formula 1’s way in 2021 has created a reluctance from drivers to commit to long-term deals when they are effectively heading into the unknown next year.

Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, Esteban Ocon and most recently Max Verstappen, are currently the only drivers who have contracts in place beyond the end of the 2020 season, with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo all potentially on the market.

That could create a ‘silly season’ for the ages and Ricciardo thinks a big driver shuffle could be in the pipeline over the next 12 months.

“I haven’t committed any more than the end of next year,” Ricciardo told Australia’s Sunday Times.

“That’s not anything personal, it’s just we haven’t had any discussion about beyond 2020 yet. It’s still early days.

“I would love for 2020 to work out and I stay, that’s the easiest and happiest scenario, I wish for that.

“But as far as 2021 goes and that musical chairs, so to speak, I think F1 could get a real shake-up.

“Pretty much every driver is out of contract so from a fan perspective I think that is going to be pretty exciting to see how it all shapes out.”

Ricciardo’s first season with Renault did not particularly go according to plan, with the Aussie finishing P9 in the Drivers’ World Championship.

As he begins his second season with the Enstone team in 2020, Ricciardo has vowed to put his Australian Grand Prix race suit up for auction to help raise funds for those affected by the bushfires that have left a trail of devastation throughout his home country in recent weeks.

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