Ricciardo: Not getting my hopes up - MotorSportsTalk

All of the signs may suggest that Daniel Ricciardo is set to replace Mark Webber at Red Bull next season, but the Australian driver is refusing to get his hopes up just in case he is left disappointed.

Webber confirmed at the British Grand Prix that he would not be racing in Formula One next season, instead favoring a move to Porsche’s LMP1 programme in Le Mans. This sparked a race between Ricciardo, teammate Jean-Eric Vergne and Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen for the second seat alongside Sebastian Vettel. Vergne was ruled out a few weeks ago by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, whilst Raikkonen confirmed in Belgium that talks with the world champions had broken down. However, Ricciardo is refusing to believe the rumors.

“Until something is done I’m not getting too excited,” he explained to The Telegraph. “Then if it doesn’t happen I won’t kill myself.”

Partnering the potentially-four-time champ Vettel at Red Bull would appear to be a blessing on the face of things, but, as Webber has proven, the German driver is by no means an easy teammate. In Malaysia, Vettel ignored team orders to snatch the win away from Webber, causing their relationship to sour. However, Ricciardo is not expecting an easy ride.

“I am definitely aware that if I do get the opportunity to race alongside [Vettel], it is not going to be easy.

“But I would love to get the opportunity to prove to everyone that I have what it takes, and more than that, to know for myself that I can mix it with the big guys. If I can’t, well, at least I can say I tried. But I believe I can.”

Red Bull are yet to confirm when they will be making an announcement regarding the second seat, but the team have been known to confirm their drivers sooner rather than later.

With three multiple winners now vying for the championship, the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series heads to Round 11 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.

Chase Sexton earned his second victory of the season in Detroit when Aaron Plessinger fell on the final lap. Though he was penalized seven points for disobeying a flag, Sexton is third in the championship race. The Honda rider trails leader Cooper Webb (two victories) by 17 points, and defending series champion Eli Tomac (five wins) is three points behind Webb in second with seven races remaining.

Tomac won last year in Seattle on the way to his second season title.

Honda riders have a Supercross-leading 20 victories in the Seattle event but none at Lumen Field since Justin Barcia in 2013. Tomac and Barcia are the only past 450 Seattke winners entered in Saturday’s event.

Here are the pertinent details for watching Round 11 of the 2023 Supercross season in Seattle:

(All times are ET)

BROADCAST/STREAMING SCHEDULE: TV coverage of Round 11 will begin Saturday at 10 p.m. ET streaming on Peacock with a re-air Monday at 1 a.m. ET on CNBC. The Race Day Live show (including qualifying) will begin on Peacock at 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday.

NBC Sports will have exclusive live coverage of races, qualifiers and heats for the record 31 events in SuperMotocross. The main events will be presented on Peacock, NBC, USA Network, CNBC, and NBC Sports digital platforms.

Peacock will become the home of the SuperMotocross World Championship series in 2023 with live coverage of all races, qualifying, and heats from January to October. There will be 23 races livestreamed exclusively on Peacock, including a SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff event. The platform also will provide on-demand replays of every race. Click here for the full schedule.

POINTS STANDINGS: 450 division l 250 division

ENTRY LISTS: 450 division l 250 division

EVENT SCHEDULE (all times ET):

Here are the start times for Saturday’s Supercross Round 11 in Seattle, according to the Monster Energy Supercross schedule from the AMA:

4:50 p.m.: 250SX Group B Qualifying 1
5:05 p.m.: 250SX Group A Qualifying 1
5:20 p.m.: 450SX Group A Qualifying 1
5:35 p.m.: 450SX Group B Qualifying 1
6:25 p.m.: 250SX Group B Qualifying 2
6:40 p.m.: 250SX Group A Qualifying 2
7:55 p.m.: 450SX Group A Qualifying 2
8:10 p.m.: 450SX Group B Qualifying 2
10:06 p.m.: 250SX Heat 1
10:20 p.m.: 250SX Heat 2
10:34 p.m.: 450SX Heat 1
10:48 p.m.: 450SX Heat 2
11:22 p.m.: 250SX Last Chance Qualifier
11:34 p.m.: 450SX Last Chance Qualifier
11:54 p.m.: 250SX Main Event
12:28 a.m.: 450SX Main Event