Last Updated on October 28 2024, 6:40 pm

“But it was not meant to be” – Horner reflects on Ricciardo’s departure from Red Bull Racing – Five weeks ago, Daniel Ricciardo’s journey with Red Bull Racing came to an end. In a move that surprised some and was inevitable for others, Red Bull swapped Australian Daniel Ricciardo for promising newcomer from New Zealand Liam Lawson after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

Despite Lawson’s impressive debut in Austin, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner is still reflecting on the departure of Ricciardo – a driver whose impact on the team extended far beyond the track. Indeed, the Red Bull team boss fully admits that Ricciardo may well be needed for a race seat depending on the performances of other drivers in the family.

Horner recently shared his thoughts on Ricciardo’s departure, expressing a mixture of nostalgia, admiration and respect for the Australian’s personality, career and influence within the Red Bull team and the wider world of Formula One. His comments underline the bittersweet nature of Ricciardo’s transition, both for Horner as a manager and for Red Bull as a team.

 

 

 

Daniel Ricciardo: A personality that radiates

Speaking about Ricciardo, Horner highlighted the undeniable charisma that has made him a popular figure in the paddock and a favourite with fans around the world.

“Daniel is just a radiant personality, a radiant person,” Horner told the F1 Nation podcast.

“He lights up a room when he walks in and he has this infectious smile. Although we never managed to do a toothpaste commercial with him,” he laughed, recalling the energetic spirit Ricciardo has brought to Red Bull over the years.

Horner’s reflections painted Ricciardo as much more than just another driver. The Red Bull boss insisted that Ricciardo’s personality brought an intangible quality to the team – a morale-boosting presence that went beyond performance metrics and race results.

His humour, charm and vibrancy became defining characteristics, helping the Red Bull team forge a closer, more unified identity and giving them someone to rally behind both on and off the track.

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It wasn’t meant to be” – Horner’s rueful farewell to Ricciardo’s racing future

Red Bull may have handed the wheel to Liam Lawson, but Horner admitted he still regrets Ricciardo’s departure.

The veteran F1 driver had returned to Red Bull in the hope of reviving his career, and wanted to use the opportunity as a springboard back to the top of the sport.

“I would have liked to see him use it as a springboard. A springboard back to where he could have finished the story. But it was not to be,” lamented Horner.

Horner’s words reveal the unfulfilled potential he saw in Ricciardo’s time with the team, and suggest that both he and Ricciardo were aware of the uncertainty of the outcome.

“Daniel is very honest about it and he knows in his heart that he did his best. He had a great career, a great run. But unfortunately the next chapter was not meant to be,” said Horner.

While Ricciardo’s racing career with Red Bull may have come to an end, his impact on the team’s culture and legacy remains undeniable.

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Future roles for Ricciardo: From ambassador to race seat

Despite Ricciardo’s departure from the Red Bull car, Horner has not ruled out a future with the Australian still associated with the team. The Red Bull boss expressed his hope that Ricciardo will remain within the Red Bull family, even if that means a role outside of active racing.

“We’ve made it very clear that we would like him to stay with the team in an ambassadorial role,” Horner explained, hinting at possible career paths Ricciardo could explore with Red Bull in a non-driving capacity.

But Horner didn’t stop there. He left the door open for a possible return to racing, depending on the performances of Lawson or team-mate Sergio Pérez.

“And of course you never know: If Liam doesn’t get the job done, or Checo doesn’t get the job done, then we know about Daniel’s ability,” Horner added, underlining Ricciardo’s proven talent and adaptability.

In addition, Horner sees Ricciardo’s showmanship and natural charisma as assets that could translate well to a career in the media.

“He is a born entertainer and showman. I am sure he will end up in front of the camera at some point,” said Horner, pointing to Ricciardo’s humour and stage presence as qualities that could thrive on television, possibly in a documentary or other media project centred around Formula One.

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“The most disgusting thing” – Memorable moments with Ricciardo

Over the years, Ricciardo’s time at Red Bull has provided Horner with many memorable moments. One of the most iconic (and, according to Horner, “disgusting”) Ricciardo traditions was his celebratory “shoey” – drinking champagne from his own sweaty race boot after a podium finish.

“He made it his own and got some incredible people to drink from his sweaty shoe,” laughed Horner, recalling Ricciardo’s quirky and infectious humour.

Another standout moment for Horner was when Ricciardo grabbed a camera and boldly walked into the Mercedes garage, a moment that Horner said showed Ricciardo’s fearless and playful personality.

“I’m surprised Toto [Wolff] didn’t throw him out immediately after he zoomed in on their brake ducts and all the things we were interested in,” joked Horner, recognising Ricciardo’s unique ability to push boundaries while keeping things light-hearted.

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Teaching moments with Max Verstappen

Ricciardo’s influence on Red Bull’s current star driver, Max Verstappen, was another aspect Horner highlighted. When Verstappen joined Red Bull he was young, intense and focused almost exclusively on performance.

According to Horner, Ricciardo has been an important influence, helping Verstappen to balance the demands of racing with the importance of enjoying the process.

“I think Max actually learned a lot from him,” Horner said.

“Daniel was a big influence on Max not to take life too seriously and to enjoy the moment.” That mentorship helped shape Verstappen’s approach to racing, allowing him to embrace the highs and lows of the sport more gracefully.

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Triumphs and career-defining performances

Reflecting on Ricciardo’s career, Horner took time to acknowledge the impressive wins and highlights that have defined the Australian’s Red Bull legacy. One of the most memorable races was the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix, where Ricciardo managed to fend off Sebastian Vettel despite his car suffering a significant power loss. The MGU-K failure left Ricciardo with 30 per cent less power, and he relied solely on the combustion engine to stay in the lead.

“The fact that he got that win felt like the universe was trying to put something right,” said Horner, referring to Ricciardo’s previous misfortune in Monaco, where a pit stop error cost him a potential win.

That victory in 2018 cemented Ricciardo’s place among F1’s elite, demonstrating his resilience and ability under pressure.

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A reputation for daring overtakes

Horner also recalled Ricciardo’s aggressive overtaking style, which has become a hallmark of his career. Red Bull’s initial concerns about Ricciardo’s racing ability were quickly dispelled in his debut season with the team in 2014, when he showcased his signature late braking manoeuvres.

“When he came to us, our biggest concern was that we knew he was quick, but we hadn’t seen him overtake anyone, so we didn’t know how good a racer he was,” admitted Horner.

Ricciardo quickly proved his mettle with memorable performances in races such as the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix and his first win in Montreal later that year. By the time he claimed victory in China in 2018, Ricciardo had cemented his reputation as one of the best overtakers in the field.

“He was so late on the brakes… he was just outstanding,” said Horner, who hailed 2014 as the peak of Ricciardo’s driving career.

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Looking Forward: The legacy of Daniel Ricciardo

As Ricciardo steps away from the Red Bull seat, the impact of his time with the team will continue to reverberate. He leaves behind a legacy defined not only by race wins and on-track prowess, but also by the infectious positivity and humanity he brought to the garage.

While his racing career with Red Bull may not have ended in the way he or Horner would have hoped, Ricciardo’s presence within the sport and the Red Bull family continues to be valued.

Whether in an ambassadorial role, behind the camera or perhaps even back in the cockpit, Ricciardo’s Red Bull story may have chapters yet to be written. For Christian Horner and the Red Bull team, the memory of Ricciardo’s infectious smile and fearless overtakes lingers, reminding them of what he brought to their team and to Formula One – a blend of skill, charisma and authenticity that few drivers possess.

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Max Verstappen had faced questions in the Singapore FIA drivers’ press conference on how his car had performed the week prior at the Azerbaijan weekend. The world champion replied: “As soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f***ed,” Verstappen said while explaining his tricky Baku weekend.

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