The Red Bull Formula 1 team boss, Christian Horner, states that the potential return of Daniel Ricciardo to the team depends on his own performance, but emphasizes that he must demonstrate exceptional skills. Ricciardo, who was released by McLaren at the end of 2022, was given another chance in F1 with Red Bull’s affiliate team, previously known as AlphaTauri, in the middle of last year. However, his comeback was hampered by a broken metacarpal due to an accident in Zandvoort, and he has yet to score points in the first five races of this season, trailing behind his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who has accumulated seven points so far. Ricciardo acknowledged in China last week that he must prioritize delivering results with the renamed RB team before considering a possible return to Red Bull. He explained that his focus currently is not on moving up, but on getting his season on track and proving himself once again. Although there is a desire to turn the situation around, there is no overwhelming pressure to demonstrate his skills, as the team already knows his capabilities. The key now is to translate that potential into tangible results.
Christian Horner, the Red Bull team boss, has been a strong advocate for Daniel Ricciardo’s return and has supported him during his recent struggles on the Formula 1 circuit. While Horner has acknowledged that Sergio Perez is the favorite candidate to be Max Verstappen’s partner, he has also revealed that Ricciardo’s fate depends mainly on his own performance. Horner emphasized that Ricciardo needs to demonstrate exceptional skills that catch the attention not only of Red Bull, but also of other teams.
Furthermore, Horner hinted that Yuki Tsunoda, who expressed his desire to move up the ranks at Red Bull, could be considered for a position in the main team. Horner emphasized that they closely monitor the progress and development of their drivers, highlighting especially Tsunoda’s impressive performance in the current season. As a sister team, Red Bull maintains a great interest in the performance of their drivers.
The decision regarding Ricciardo and Tsunoda will undoubtedly have an impact on Liam Lawson, who replaced Ricciardo in five races last year. Horner acknowledged Lawson’s talent and his eagerness to seize an opportunity. However, he made it clear that there are no plans or predetermined timelines for promoting Lawson. The priority remains on the drivers currently occupying race seats, and the team will evaluate the situation as it unfolds.
