Red Bukk’s Dr Helmut Marko has revealed that Daniel Ricciardo hasn’t done enough to deserve Red Bull F1 drive. Harsh words as it really now appears that this is Ricciardo’s ‘last chance’ as his F1 career hangs in the balance. After the summer break, Daniel Ricciardo is treating the final ten Grands Prix of the season as if they are his last in Formula One.

With his future uncertain, Ricciardo is facing a critical period in his career. Every race, every lap now carries the weight of proving he belongs at the highest level of the sport.

 

 

 

Ricciardo’s uncertain campaign

This season has been an unusual one for Ricciardo. He began with the intention of regaining his place at Red Bull, only to find himself fighting to keep his seat at sister team RB. Although Sergio Perez was given a contract extension at the beginning of June, his poor performance created another potential opportunity for Ricciardo.

However, Red Bull’s decision to retain Perez after the summer break left Ricciardo questioning his future once again.

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Marko’s comments

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has added to the uncertainty by announcing that a decision on test and reserve driver Liam Lawson is expected in September. This decision could further impact Ricciardo’s prospects, making the upcoming races even more crucial for his career.

Ricciardo’s journey has been transformative. After a challenging and introspective final season with McLaren, he returned to Red Bull as a test driver. RacingNews365 reported this week that Ricciardo says he now feels more confident and driven, in contrast to his time at McLaren where he struggled with confidence and performance.

Ricciardo dismisses Marko’s opinion

 

 

 

Renewed focus and motivation

Ricciardo’s comeback was marred by a significant setback – a badly broken finger early in his return with AlphaTauri, which sidelined him for five races. Despite a renewed sense of purpose this season, results have been scarce, with Ricciardo scoring just 12 points from 14 races, 10 points behind teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

Despite this, Ricciardo remains optimistic and fully committed. Stressing his excitement and motivation, he said, “I’ve really cut out a lot of things to make sure this is my priority. He admits that distractions have been minimised to keep his focus on the race.”

Ricciardo has adopted an all-in mentality, treating this season as potentially his last chance in F1.

“I’m fully motivated. I’m fully focused,” he said. “I’m aware that I don’t know if I’ve got a year left, five years left, so I’m treating it like it’s really my last chance.”

Ricciardo’s determination to leave with no regrets underlines his commitment to making the most of this opportunity. He is in a good place mentally, comfortable with his approach and the effort he is putting into his racing career.

 

 

Ricciardo on F1 retirement

 

 

Helmut Marko’s damning verdict

Amidst Ricciardo’s determined efforts, Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko has stated that Ricciardo has not done enough to warrant a return to the main Red Bull Formula One team. The announcement comes alongside the decision to retain Sergio Perez despite his recent struggles.

Sergio Perez went into the summer break after a difficult season in which he scored just 28 points in eight races. This disappointing performance raised concerns about Red Bull’s championship prospects. However, at a review meeting over the summer, Red Bull decided to continue with the Mexican driver, giving him an unexpected reprieve.

 

 

 

Marko on Ricciardo’s position

Ricciardo, who raced for Red Bull from 2014 to 2018, was a potential candidate to replace Perez if Red Bull decided to make a change. However, he will remain with Red Bull’s sister team, RB, to strengthen his case for a place in the senior team in the future.

“Daniel was put in the car and if he had been significantly faster than Yuki there was an idea to bring him back to Red Bull Racing,” Marko told ESPN.

“But he also had this up and down. So so far he hasn’t met the criteria to be a Red Bull Racing driver.”

 

 

 

Uncertain future & Lawson’s prospects

Ricciardo’s future is uncertain. If Perez remains at Red Bull next year, Ricciardo could either be promoted or pushed out altogether. His position at RB is not guaranteed for 2025, with Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson likely to be given a full-time seat alongside Tsunoda.

Marko has hinted that RB are leaning towards promoting Lawson, who impressed in Ricciardo’s absence last season.

“It was a clear statement from the shareholders that the Racing Bulls are a junior team and this is the way forward,” Marko explained.

 

 

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Red Bull optimistic about Perez

Red Bull remain hopeful that Perez can shake off his slump and return to the form that saw him take four podiums in the first five races. Marko, 81, has suggested that the widening performance gap between Perez and Max Verstappen is due to the RB20 car becoming more difficult to handle of late.

“We think we can turn it around and make it more stable for him,” said Marko. “Being Max’s teammate is not the nicest thing in F1. Checo has his merits, he’s won races.”

Acknowledging the challenges of being Verstappen’s teammate, Marko emphasised the efforts made to make the car easier to drive for Perez.

“The more difficult the car is to drive, the more the difference with Max comes out because he’s such an outstanding talent,” he explained.

Commenting on Perez’s inconsistent performances, Marko stressed the need for stability. “Our discussion was not just about the drivers, it was a regular discussion about what we can do to improve the situation. We need to try and make the car easier to drive.”

Perez complains about Red Bull scrutiny

 

 

 

What’s next for Ricciardo? Career at crossroads

If Ricciardo fails to secure a promotion to Red Bull Racing, it could have a significant impact on his career. The prospect of retirement looms large for the Australian, who has already endured a turbulent few years. Failure to return to the senior team could force him to consider his future in the sport.

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Potential retirement

At 34, Ricciardo is no longer one of the younger drivers on the grid. While he still has the enthusiasm and desire to compete, the harsh realities of F1 mean that opportunities can be limited. If Red Bull decide to back younger talent such as Lawson, Ricciardo could find himself without a seat in the years to come.

Should retirement become a consideration, Ricciardo has several potential avenues. He could move into a role within the sport, such as commentating, where his charismatic personality and vast experience would be valuable. Alternatively, he could explore opportunities in other racing series, such as IndyCar or the World Endurance Championship, where many former F1 drivers have found success.

READ MORE: Marko speaks out on huge Perez rumour

 

 

 

Final push

Regardless of how the next few months play out, Ricciardo’s F1 legacy is secure. An eight-time Grand Prix winner known for his daring overtakes and infectious smile, Ricciardo has made a lasting impact on the sport. His journey, filled with ups and downs, exemplifies the resilience and passion that defines a true racer.

As Ricciardo enters this critical period, his focus remains on giving his all. The next ten races are not only about proving his worth to Red Bull, but also proving to himself and his fans that he still has the competitive fire. Whether or not he secures a seat at Red Bull Racing, Ricciardo’s commitment and drive will undoubtedly leave their mark on this season.

Red Bull’s decision to retain Perez and not promote Ricciardo highlights the high standards and fierce competition within the team. While Ricciardo continues to prove his worth at RB, the future of Red Bull’s driver line-up remains uncertain, with young talent such as Lawson waiting in the wings. 

READ MORE: Secret data that convinced Sainz to join Williams

 

 

 

MORE F1 NEWS: Ricciardo on F1 retirement

The first half of the Formula One season has not gone as Daniel Ricciardo and his fans had hoped. Speculation about his future has been rife, with many wondering if the veteran driver will be forced to relinquish his seat with the Racing Bulls during the summer break. While talk of an exit has been quashed, Ricciardo recently addressed rumours of a possible end to his F1 career.

Daniel Ricciardo has candidly admitted that “nothing can really hurt me anymore” as his future with Red Bull hangs in the balance for the second half of the 2024 F1 season. Since returning to F1 with Red Bull’s junior team VCARB (formerly AlphaTauri) in 2023, Ricciardo has faced significant challenges, scoring points in just…READ MORE ON THIS STORY