Title: Red Bull’s Shocking Oversight: Daniel Ricciardo’s Departure Labeled ‘The Biggest Mistake of the Decade’
In a stunning revelation, former Formula 1 driver Derek Daly has pulled back the curtain on Red Bull Racing’s controversial decision-making, declaring the team’s treatment of Daniel Ricciardo as the “biggest mistake” they have made in the last ten years. The fallout from Ricciardo’s exit in 2019 continues to reverberate, casting a long shadow over the team’s recent fortunes.
During an exclusive interview, Daly shed light on how Red Bull’s “love affair” with superstar Max Verstappen overshadowed the immense talent and contributions of Ricciardo, an eight-time Grand Prix winner. “Red Bull didn’t respect Daniel Ricciardo,” Daly lamented, emphasizing how this lack of acknowledgment ultimately pushed the Australian driver to leave for Renault. It was a decision that would alter the trajectory of both Ricciardo’s career and Red Bull’s competitive edge.
Ricciardo, who had once taken the F1 world by storm, had emerged as a formidable force, even usurping the position of Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull hierarchy. However, the dynamics shifted dramatically when Verstappen was promoted to the top team in 2016. Initially, Ricciardo held his own against the young Dutch prodigy, but as time went on, it became painfully clear that he was being relegated to the sidelines. The tipping point came when Verstappen received a substantial contract extension and pay raise, effectively sealing Ricciardo’s fate.
Daly, who raced in Formula 1 from 1978 to 1982, claims that the ramifications of Ricciardo’s departure have been catastrophic for Red Bull, resulting in a series of underperforming drivers filling the second seat. Since Ricciardo left, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson, and currently, Yuki Tsunoda, have all failed to meet expectations, leaving fans and analysts questioning the team’s strategy. Only Sergio Perez managed to perform consistently, but even he faced challenges and was ultimately slated for release at the end of 2024.
The instability that followed Ricciardo’s departure has left Red Bull in a precarious position, as Daly notes. “When you have a love affair with someone like Max Verstappen, we now know there’s a price to pay for that,” he warns. The price is evident: a team plagued by inconsistency and a revolving door of talent that has yet to deliver the same level of competition Ricciardo once provided.
Daly’s poignant conclusion hits home: “The biggest mistake in the last 10 years that Red Bull made was to not respect Daniel Ricciardo because when Daniel Ricciardo was there, he was the only one who truly had the strength to race at the highest levels against Max.” He insists that Ricciardo was capable of matching Verstappen’s speed, yet the team failed to honor what he brought to the table. The consequences of this oversight continue to unfold, leaving Red Bull Racing at a crossroads, searching for stability and the competitive edge that once defined its legacy.
