Despite his hopes of a strong comeback and reuniting with Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo fell short of expectations, especially compared to his teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
Ricciardo is currently at a crucial moment in his Formula 1 career, with only two races left to prove his worth to Red Bull or risk being replaced by promising driver Liam Lawson at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.
According to a report from The New Zealand Herald, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko gave Ricciardo a stern ultimatum after a disappointing start to the 2024 season, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Throughout the first three races, Ricciardo consistently lagged behind Tsunoda, facing major 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 possible replacement, as he made a notable impression during a brief stint in F1 last year, filling in for Ricciardo.
Many within Red Bull see Lawson as 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 overcoming Tsunoda in Budapest the previous year with limited preparation, which boosted his confidence for a stronger start to the 2024 season.
Ricciardo’s fight has been surprising, especially considering the full pre-season and experiences from the previous year that he believed would establish a solid foundation for success.
Ricciardo’s recent statements demonstrate his determination to overcome these challenges.
“I didn’t anticipate starting the season like this,” he admitted, highlighting his preparation and underlying confidence despite the poor results.
He remains focused on his performance, avoiding distractions and maintaining a positive mindset.
As Ricciardo faces these crucial upcoming races, his resilience and ability to bounce back will face intense scrutiny, with the potential for a significant change in his career trajectory if he fails to meet Red Bull’s expectations.
