SUMMARY
- Daniel Ricciardo eyes 2025 Red Bull seat amid Sergio Perez's uncertain future.
- Helmut Marko sets a condition for Ricciardo as must surpass teammate Yuki Tsunoda's performance.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has given Daniel Ricciardo a firm offer for a permanent seat at Red Bull in 2025. After serving as the team’s reserve driver in the initial races of the 2023 season, Ricciardo replaced Nyck de Vries at Alpha Tauri. He had previously parted ways with McLaren towards the conclusion of the 2022 season citing mutual agreement with subpar performance.
While Ricciardo continues with the team for the 2024 season, he sees a chance to join and fulfill his Red Bull dream. However, recent developments have made the future of Sergio Perez with the Austrian outfit dull and unclear. Due to this, the Aussie faces the greatest challenge in the upcoming season as he has to perform to prove his worth and bag a seat with the reigning champions.
Marko’s condition for Daniel Ricciardo: Replacing Sergio Perez
Marko, discussing the matter, presented Ricciardo with an ultimatum involving his current teammate Tsunoda. Despite the Honeybadger’s experience, Tsunoda outscored him by 11 points in 2023. The 34-year-old’s late entry and subsequent injury during the Dutch Grand Prix limited his race participation to seven out of 22 races. He later ended up earning six points, chiefly from a seventh-place finish in Mexico.
🚨 Helmut Marko on Daniel Ricciardo being a candidate for Red Bull’s 2025 seat
“Ricciardo has to show that he has Tsunoda clearly under control. Then he might be a candidate”
[@MST_Formel1] pic.twitter.com/DmIwyb4ECr
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) February 25, 2024
According to Marko, “Ricciardo has to show that he has Tsunoda clearly under control. Then he might be a candidate.” He also emphasized what Ricciardo needs to do to replace Perez in the Milton Keynes-based team. The driver is keen on joining the team’s roster from 2025 onwards. Ever since he has returned to the grid, Ricciardo has been vocal about getting a chance to drive for the Bulls again.
However, the journey towards that seat faces obstacles, with other contenders vying for it. The recent reshuffling has left Ferrari driver out of job for 2025, who is also a potential candidate for the seat.
Ricciardo’s goal with Visa Cash App RB in 2024
In the previous season, formerly known as Alpha Tauri, climbed to eighth place in the standings, propelled by significant improvements in the latter half. With a new and vibrant livery, the Australian driver seems to be optimistic regarding the chances of the team to make it into the top leagues. Despite undergoing major structural changes, the team seems strong for the season ahead.
đź“°: Daniel Ricciardo believes Red Bull and Ferrari are the “strong favourites” for the podium at the F1 2024 season-opener in Bahrain based on their testing performances. While some see Red Bull Racing as a dark horse, Ricciardo remains cautious, aiming for a top 10 finish and… pic.twitter.com/54sb7eZHz1
— F1 Naija (@f1_naija) February 25, 2024
With hopes of challenging the leading teams, Daniel Ricciardo cautions it remains a mere aspiration. Ricciardo stated, “I’d like to say yes, but truth is we’re trying to certainly build something right now. And I think this is the year where the team really tries to establish themselves and kind of stand on their own two feet, and obviously then try to establish a fight towards the front of the midfield.”
The 34-year-old has indicated that their current aim is to compete within the midfield, with potential for further progress as the season unfolds.