SUMMARY
- Daniel Ricciardo faces doubt about championship contention.
- Despite a storied career, Ricciardo's form declined after moving to Renault and McLaren.
As Daniel Ricciardo prepares for his home Grand Prix in Australia this weekend, he made a bold remark regarding his stance on having a shot at the championship race. The 34-year-old driver had struck a dead end by the conclusion of the 2022 season when he announced his departure from McLaren. However, Red Bull moved quickly and appointed Ricciardo as their reserve driver.
When AlphaTauri (renamed as VCARB) decided to let go of rookie driver Nyck de Vries mid-season in 2023, Ricciardo found himself behind the well once again and a confirmed seat. However, with no championship win despite his exceptional driving prowess, his future at Formula 1 seems bleak. Returning to full-time racing in 2024 after a stint as a reserve and sidelined due to a hand injury, Ricciardo faces heightened scrutiny.
Daniel Ricciardo takes a jab at F1 veteran
Despite having a stellar career with Red Bull Racing, he had an enormous decline in form after switching to Renault and McLaren, where Oscar Piastri eventually took his seat. Ricciardo’s history has been a testament to his performance, and his entry was backed by a set of expectations from the F1 community. However, the Honey Badger did not quite live up to those expectations.
Daniel Ricciardo on if he has a point to prove in the coming races after Alan Jones said he was ‘past it’
“Not at all” pic.twitter.com/Cgc7ycQGYV
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) March 18, 2024
Since the 2024 season kicked off, Ricciardo has been trailing behind teammate Yuki Tsunoda. With pressure mounting after a disappointing P16 finish in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, former F1 driver Alan Jones urges Ricciardo to step up his game. Jones has stressed the need for stronger performances and consistent outperformance of his teammates for career progression in the sport.
The Australia-born veteran stated, “I hate to say it, but I think we have seen the best days from him. He has had his bum in a few decent cars, irrespective of what people say.” When questioned whether he agrees with Jones, Ricciardo said, “Not at all.” As he gears up for his home race this weekend, the driver faces another chance to highlight his driving skills.
2024 could be the end for Ricciardo, says ex-McLaren figure
Marc Priestley, a former F1 mechanic now turned broadcaster, suggests that Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 journey is nearing its end. In 2024, Ricciardo returned to Formula 1 with Red Bull, yet his performance mirrors his stint with McLaren in 2022. After being dropped by McLaren, he spent much of 2023 as a reserve driver, stepping back from driving at races.
Can we write off Daniel Ricciardo already?
He needs to be beating ‘immature’ Tsunoda in every race, but instead, he is spinning out in P16.
Liam Lawson should be in that car, and Red Bull would rather keep the improved Perez for 2024. And if Verstappen really leaves the team,… pic.twitter.com/QJLq5Nu8MI
— Maxx | F1newsletter.com (@F1_Newsletter) March 9, 2024
During the driver testing for Red Bull, Ricciardo showcased his potential and was lauded by senior management, leading to his placement at AlphaTauri. However, in the words of Priestley, “Daniel Ricciardo, at the other end of his career, he’s getting a hurry up from Helmut Marko. Is he really what everyone thought he was? Is it the excitement we thought it was going to be when he came back into the sport?”
The former mechanic went on to add, “Actually, he’s not beating his teammate consistently enough and that is the very first step to becoming a legendary driver in Formula 1 – you have to beat your teammate.” Concerned, Marc Priestley feels that 2024 could be Ricciardo’s last attempt to establish himself in the Formula 1 scene.