Daniel Ricciardo’s second stint in Formula 1 was expected to be a redemption arc, but instead, it turned into a rollercoaster of flashes of brilliance and frustrating inconsistency. Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies has now admitted that the team bears some responsibility for the Australian’s struggles, acknowledging they failed to consistently keep Ricciardo in the “sweet spot” needed for success.
A Disrupted Comeback
Ricciardo returned to F1 with high hopes of reclaiming a seat in Red Bull’s senior team, but his time with Racing Bulls in 2024 was anything but smooth. After a disrupted comeback in 2023, Ricciardo aimed to re-establish himself as a top-tier driver. However, while he delivered standout performances—such as a fourth-place finish in the Miami Sprint and a stellar qualifying session in Canada that placed him in the top five—these moments were exceptions, not the rule.
The inconsistency ultimately derailed his hopes of replacing Sergio Perez at Red Bull, with Ricciardo being dropped six races before the season’s conclusion. By season’s end, it was rookie Liam Lawson who secured the coveted Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen, leaving Ricciardo’s F1 future uncertain.
Mekies: “We Share the Blame”
In an interview with Autosport, Mekies conceded that the team’s inability to provide Ricciardo with the right conditions contributed to his lackluster performances.
“The question we have been asked the most was: ‘Can Daniel still produce the ultimate speed we have seen?’” Mekies said. “I think he has on a few occasions, in Miami, in Canada, and in quite a few other races. But for the team, as for the drivers, the biggest difficulty is not to be fast one day—it’s to be fast in every race.”
Acknowledging their shortcomings, Mekies added:
“Did we manage to keep Daniel in that sweet spot often enough? No, that’s the reality. I raised my hand, and we raised our hands as a team because we have a big part to play in it. And this led to what happened.”
Experience Over Exposure?
Racing Bulls’ decision to bring Ricciardo back was not without controversy. Critics argue that the move denied Liam Lawson additional exposure at the top level, experience that could have prepared him even better for his eventual promotion to Red Bull.
But Mekies defended the decision, emphasizing the value Ricciardo brought to the team through his wealth of experience and technical feedback.
“There was a huge benefit for the team and for Yuki [Tsunoda] in terms of Daniel’s technical feedback, direction of development, [and] race-winning approach,” Mekies said. “Having somebody that knows how it is in a team that wins races and fights for championships is setting the benchmark. That counts a lot in a time where you are trying to build the team and target better results.”
Mekies also highlighted Ricciardo’s impact on teammate Yuki Tsunoda, praising their collaborative relationship and how it helped the Japanese driver grow.
What’s Next for Ricciardo?
While Racing Bulls acknowledges their role in Ricciardo’s struggles, his future in Formula 1 remains uncertain. Despite his flashes of brilliance, the eight-time Grand Prix winner now faces a crossroads in his career. Meanwhile, Racing Bulls moves forward with Lawson, who has proven himself ready for the main stage, leaving Ricciardo to consider what’s next.
As Mekies summed up:
“There were lessons learned on both sides, but ultimately, we didn’t achieve what we all hoped for with Daniel.”
The saga of Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 journey may not be over, but Racing Bulls’ reflections paint a bittersweet picture of a talent that struggled to shine consistently in a challenging environment. Fans can only hope this isn’t the final chapter in Ricciardo’s remarkable career.
