Last Updated on March 20 2024, 1:51 pm

For years Daniel Ricciardo has bee the ginning face of Formula One, his happy go lucky attitude and beaming smile has lit up the paddock for over a decade. But now it seems the likeable Australian is facing an uncertain future.

Having been ditched by McLaren, Christian Horner swept in for Ricciardo believing him to be a worthy replacement for Sergio Perez should his form improve.

 

 

 

Marko warns Ricciardo

Yet Daniel’s comeback was sooner as he stepped in for the unfortunate Nyck de Vries who was given just ten races to establish himself in the Red Bull junior team. Two race weekends later, Ricciardo damaged his hand in Zaandvoort and was out until the final five events of the year.

Daniel has struggled to establish himself as the number one driver in the newly renamed Visa Cash App Racing Bull and only finished ahead of Yuki Tsunoda in Bahrain due to team orders. In Jeddah Tsnuoda both out qualified his team mate and was placed ahead of Ricciardo in the classified grand prix standings.

Speaking after the Saudi Grand Prix, Dr. Helmut Marko warned Ricciardo that time is short and he needs to start delivering results. 

“There’s a lot at stake this season for both Yuki and Daniel,” he said. “Yuki’s qualifying was very good, and Ricciardo has to come up with something soon…”

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Ex-F1 champion criticising Daniel

Then came another blow to Daniel’s ego as fellow countryman and F1 champion Alan Jones questioned whether the best days in F1 were behind the eight times Grand Prix winner.

 “He is treading water. He really needs to have some very good results and put up a good show, he can’t be dwelling down where he is,” Jones told the Herald Sun.

“I hate to say it, but I think we have seen the best days [from Ricciardo]. He has had his bum in a few decent cars, irrespective of what people say.”

Jones argues the loss on Daniel’s form runs deeper than a difficult to drive McLaren car, highlighting Ricciardo’s immediate priority.

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Ricciardo “has got to start beating his team mate”

“The Alpine or the McLaren, the car that he is in right now… at the end of the day he has got to start beating his team-mate for a start.”

After the second round of this year in Jeddah, Daniel implied there were problems with the car that the team had yet to diagnose.

“I think it was always going to be an uphill battle. We simply don’t have everything functioning at 100%. So, we see a few flaws, honestly, with the car,” Ricciardo revealed in Saudi Arabia.

“Honestly, some things with the car. Like just when it comes to producing efficiency and everything, just a few things didn’t quite add up…”

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Ricciardo blames the car

Daniel was disconsolate and revealed some of the fixes required are going to take quite some time.

“We did find some things afterwards [FP3]. But then you’ve got parc ferme [regulations preventing major set-up changes]. And to be honest, even if we didn’t have parc ferme, it’s probably nothing we can fix in 24 hours.”

However Alan Jones believes Ricciardo needs to stop critiquing the car and focus on beating his team mate.

“At the end of the day, we can’t be blaming the car all the time, which has been a bit of a tendency in the past,” concluded Jones.

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Poor Melbourne record

Daniel does not have a stella record at home. In his nine previous outings he has recorded a disqualification, three DNF’s and two sixth and fourth place finishes together with his inaugural P9 during his rookie year.

When asked whether this could be his final appearance at the Australian Grand Prix, Ricciardo wouldn’t be drawn, but lacked the confidence to stake his claim for another season beyonds this years contract.

“You can’t kind of look too far ahead and predict what is going to happen or what could happen,” he told the Herald Sun “I’m obviously in different colours again but honestly really happy with where I’m at.

“I think just the mindset now of going racing, making every weekend count and putting everything I can into it – hopefully the fans appreciate that.”

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Podium out of reach

A first ever podium in Melbourne appears even beyond the optimistic dreams of Daniel who targets a points finish.

“I feel like this is a weekend where hopefully everything runs smooth and with that I do believe I can be in the top 10. Try to get the team some first points of the year and just get it rolling.

“Obviously, the top 10 doesn’t sound like it’s aiming very high – but it’s so competitive where we are at the moment in that midfield battle that if I could leave Sunday with some points, I would be happy.”

A lot can happen between now and when Red Bull decided on next year’s driver lineup, but both Ricciardo and Tsunoda need to raise their games substantially if they want to be considered for Chico’s drive in the future. Sergio has done all he can but win a race so far this year, bringing home 1-2’s for the Milton Keynes based squad at both of the opening rounds.

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Lawson guaranteed seat next year

If neither V-CARB driver steps up to Red Bull, then one is leaving given Liam Lawson is almost certain to be driving for the team in 2025.

Dr. Helmut Marko confirmed to OE24 recently that Lawson will have a contract for 2025: “Yes, and before that, he should at least drive a few more races so that we can see where his potential really lies.”

This sounds remarkable like a Red Bull mid-season driver switch could be once again on the cards. Yet for now Sergio Perez looks safe and it is Tsunoda and Ricciardo who are fighting to race alongside New Zealander Liam Lawson next year.

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