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CEO of Racing Bulls Peter Bayer Identifies the Root of Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 Struggles

Virgilio Machado by Virgilio Machado
January 8, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Max Verstappen thanks Daniel Ricciardo for stealing fastest lap at the Last-Minute

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 22: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 22, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409220357 // Usage for editorial use only //

Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer has offered insight into the struggles that plagued Daniel Ricciardo’s second stint in Formula 1, shedding light on the Australian driver’s inability to adapt to the new generation of ground-effect cars.

Ricciardo, once hailed as one of F1’s brightest stars with eight Grand Prix wins, faced a dramatic downturn in form during his final years in the sport. Despite a mid-season return in 2023 and a full-time seat in 2024, Ricciardo failed to reclaim his previous brilliance, eventually being replaced by Liam Lawson after the Singapore Grand Prix.


The Impact of Ground-Effect Cars

Bayer pointed to the fundamental shift in F1’s regulations as a key factor in Ricciardo’s struggles. The new ground-effect era, introduced in 2022, brought cars that required a markedly different driving style. While some drivers thrived in this new era, Ricciardo found it challenging to adapt.

Bayer recalled a pivotal moment with former Team Principal Franz Tost after the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:

“We brought, for the first time, a new generation floor that was really extreme. Yuki [Tsunoda] loved it, but Daniel was struggling. Franz questioned whether Daniel could recover with this type of car.”

This struggle with adaptation was a stark contrast to Ricciardo’s success in the high-rake cars of the previous era, where his natural driving style flourished.


Inconsistent Performances and Missed Breakthroughs

While Ricciardo had flashes of brilliance, such as his fourth-place Sprint finish in Miami and eighth place in Canada, Bayer noted the lack of consistency. These moments of success were often followed by inexplicable underperformance, such as a Q1 exit just hours after his Miami Sprint heroics.

Bayer explained:

“He didn’t have that breakthrough moment where he could say, ‘Okay, I’ve got it.’ They tried a ton of things, but ultimately, it’s down to the team to give the driver a car that suits them, and they struggled.”

Racing Director Alan Permane, who worked with Ricciardo during his successful stint at Renault, echoed Bayer’s sentiments. Permane recalled a vastly different Ricciardo at Renault, one who quickly adapted and delivered podium finishes.

“At Renault, everything came very easily for him. But here, he struggled with inconsistency and couldn’t pinpoint the issue.”


Yuki Tsunoda’s Role as a Benchmark

Ricciardo’s struggles were magnified by the relative consistency of teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who managed to extract performance from the same car. This added to Ricciardo’s frustration as he grappled with his inability to consistently deliver.

“For Yuki to be able to take the same car and deliver reasonably consistently—it was very frustrating for Daniel,” Permane noted.


A Legacy of Unfulfilled Potential

Despite a valiant effort to reignite his career, Ricciardo’s F1 journey ended without the revival many had hoped for. His inability to adapt to the ground-effect cars, combined with inconsistent performances, ultimately sealed his fate.

As Bayer summarized:

“Adapting is one thing, but mastering it is another. Unfortunately, Daniel couldn’t find the key to consistently unlock the car’s performance.”

Ricciardo’s final chapter in F1 serves as a poignant reminder of the sport’s relentless demand for adaptability, even for drivers of his caliber.

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