Daniel Ricciardo’s start to the ongoing 2024 F1 season has been less than ideal. He has been trailing his teammate in both qualifying and races, which is not what he had hoped for. In response to his poor performances, a former world champion boldly claimed that Ricciardo is past his prime. This has prompted the 34-year-old to address the claims and share his perspective on the situation.
The former world champion in question is Alan Jones, who won the championship in 1980. Jones is widely respected in the world of F1. Ricciardo made his return to the F1 grid last year at the Hungarian Grand Prix, but he has been facing a string of bad luck recently.
Jones took a dig at his fellow Australian and stated that Ricciardo, a former eight-time Grand Prix winner, is past his best. This statement caused a stir in the paddock, and Ricciardo felt compelled to respond strongly. When asked if he has something to prove in the upcoming races, Ricciardo dismissed Jones’s claims, saying that he does not feel the need to prove himself. However, rumors about the end of his career have been circulating in the paddock, and Ricciardo is aware of this. As a result, he will be putting in extra effort to leave a positive impression on the team hierarchy in the upcoming races.
Ricciardo is a highly experienced driver, having participated in around 250 Grand Prix races throughout his career. He has driven for various teams across the grid, making him an appealing choice for any team due to his wealth of experience. Ricciardo believes that an experienced driver can provide a team with direction and help them improve their weaknesses.
When Ricciardo joined the VCARB team (formerly known as AlphaTauri), they were struggling. However, his precise and mature feedback allowed the team to address their crucial issues. Despite his contributions to VCARB, Ricciardo is currently under pressure and hopes for a better result at his home race this weekend. Additionally, if falls behind in the championship this season, Ricciardo is seen as the frontrunner for a potential return to Red Bull.