Jody Scheckter, the 1979 Formula One World Champion, recently shared his candid views on AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo, suggesting that the Australian “smiles too much” and may not be the ideal replacement for Sergio Perez at Red Bull.

Scheckter’s comments have sparked debate about Ricciardo’s career trajectory and whether a return to Red Bull would be a wise move.

Ricciardo’s rollercoaster return to F1

Daniel Ricciardo’s journey in Formula One took an unexpected turn when he decided to take a break after two years with McLaren. The Australian returned to his former team Red Bull, initially as third driver, before being loaned out to AlphaTauri to replace Nyck de Vries.

However, Ricciardo’s return to the sport has faced early challenges. In just his second race with AlphaTauri, he suffered a hand injury during free practice at the Dutch Grand Prix. These hurdles have raised questions about his performance and whether he can fill the shoes of under-pressure Sergio Perez at Red Bull.

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Scheckter’s critique: Too many smiles?

Jody Scheckter, a veteran of the F1 world, was sceptical about Ricciardo’s suitability for Red Bull. One of his main criticisms was that Ricciardo “smiles too much”, a somewhat unconventional criticism in the high-stakes world of F1.

Scheckter questioned whether Ricciardo’s jovial demeanour could affect his performance on track. He remarked: “When someone smiles that much… I don’t know if he’s going to be better than Perez. I don’t rate him. I don’t rate him at the top.

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Ricciardo’s decline?

Scheckter’s assessment of Ricciardo went beyond his smile, delving into the Australian driver’s career trajectory. The 73-year-old South African pondered whether Ricciardo’s enthusiasm had waned over the years, leading to a decline in his performance.

He noted, “I think he was better when he started,” highlighting Ricciardo’s reputation as a skilled overtaker. However, Scheckter was dubious about Ricciardo’s current ability, stating, “I don’t think he’s impressive now.

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A defining moment for Ricciardo

As Daniel Ricciardo navigates the complexities of his return to F1 with AlphaTauri, the spotlight is on his performance. With teammate Yuki Tsunoda having scored the only three points for the Faenza-based outfit so far, Ricciardo is facing a pivotal moment in his career.

The debate sparked by Jody Scheckter’s candid comments underlines the scrutiny and expectations placed on F1 drivers. Whether Ricciardo can use his experience and skill to turn his season around and prove his critics wrong remains to be seen. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Ricciardo and his quest for redemption on the track.

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