Despite his hopes of a strong comeback and reuniting with Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo has fallen short of expectations, particularly in comparison to his teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
Ricciardo is currently at a pivotal moment in his Formula 1 career, with only two races remaining to prove his value to Red Bull or risk being replaced by up-and-coming driver Liam Lawson for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.
According to a report by The New Zealand Herald, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko has given Ricciardo a stark ultimatum following a disappointing start to the 2024 season, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Throughout the first three races, Ricciardo has consistently lagged behind Tsunoda, encountering significant setbacks in both Saudi Arabia and Australia.
This performance gap has put Ricciardo’s future with the team in jeopardy, sparking speculation about his ability to secure his position.
Red Bull has identified Liam Lawson as a potential replacement, as he made a notable impression during a brief stint in F1 last year, stepping in for Ricciardo.
Many within Red Bull consider Lawson to be the successor to Sergio Perez, rather than Tsunoda or Ricciardo, underscoring the high stakes for Ricciardo in the upcoming races in Japan and China.
The disparity between Ricciardo and Tsunoda’s performances this year is evident, with Tsunoda consistently outperforming Ricciardo in qualifying and race results.
Despite this, Ricciardo remains hopeful, reflecting on the unexpected challenges he has faced this year.
He recalls surpassing Tsunoda in Budapest the previous year with limited preparation, which has boosted his confidence for a stronger start to the season in 2024.
Ricciardo’s struggle has been surprising, especially considering the full pre-season and previous year’s experiences that he believed would lay a solid foundation for success.
Ricciardo’s recent remarks demonstrate his determination to overcome these challenges.
“I didn’t anticipate starting the season like this,” he admitted, highlighting his preparedness and underlying confidence despite the lackluster results.
He remains focused on his performance, avoiding distractions, and maintaining a positive mindset.
As Ricciardo confronts these crucial upcoming races, his resilience and ability to bounce back will face intense scrutiny, with the potential for a significant shift in his career trajectory if he fails to meet Red Bull’s expectations.