Daniel Ricciardo’s primary objective since returning to the F1 circuit has been to secure a position with the Red Bull team. However, his performance in the 2024 season has been disappointing, as he has failed to earn any points. Throughout the majority of the season, Ricciardo has been outperformed by his competitors. This has put his seat at Red Bull in jeopardy, and VCARB drivers are being considered as potential replacements. In order to have a chance at joining the Austrian team, Ricciardo must improve his results.
Many individuals within the Formula 1 community believe that Ricciardo’s inclusion in the Red Bull pool of drivers is merely for public relations purposes. The requirements for Ricciardo to secure a position within the top team have been outlined. Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, believes that the 34-year-old driver must deliver exceptional performances that capture attention. If Ricciardo were to perform better as the season progresses, even rival teams would take notice.
In addition to Ricciardo, another driver who has caught the attention of the energy drink manufacturer is a Kiwi driver who made a strong impression during his brief debut in 2023. However, Horner made it clear that there are no guarantees regarding this driver’s entry into the sport. The focus remains on the current racing drivers in Formula 1.
Sergio Perez has performed well enough to earn a contract extension with Red Bull. However, Horner has been closely monitoring the development of all the team’s F1 drivers as potential replacements for Perez. He highlighted the significant difference in performance between Ricciardo and another driver at Red Bull. As a result, Red Bull will closely observe the drivers from their sister team and consider them for the upcoming season. Additionally, another driver is also being considered as a strong candidate to join the Austrian team.
VCARB has had a lackluster start to the season following a disastrous weekend in China. The team aims to achieve substantial points in the upcoming American race to establish a strong position in the lower ranks of the grid.
The future of Daniel Ricciardo in Formula 1 is currently uncertain due to his underwhelming performances. The Australian driver must elevate his game and deliver better results to prove his value to the sport. His chances of remaining with Red Bull have been severely impacted by his significant point deficit to Tsunoda. The upcoming races will be crucial for Ricciardo, who has won eight Grand Prix events.