MELBOURNE, AUSTRÁLIA – 23 DE MARÇO: Daniel Ricciardo da Austrália e Visa Cash App RB cumprimenta os fãs no Melbourne Walk antes do treino final antes do Grande Prêmio de Fórmula 1 da Austrália no Circuito Albert Park em 23 de março de 2024 em Melbourne, Austrália. (Foto de Peter Fox/Getty Images)
Yuki Tsunoda tem dominado as classificações nesta temporada, vencendo todas as três sessões até agora. Em Melbourne, Tsunoda superou Ricciardo tanto na classificação quanto na corrida, deixando o piloto da VCARB exposto.
O NZ Herald, liderado pelo grupo de pressão de Liam Lawson, sugere que se Ricciardo não melhorar nas próximas duas corridas do Grande Prêmio no Japão e na China, a Red Bull pode considerar substituí-lo por Lawson. É provável que Lawson assuma o lugar na equipe Racing Bulls para a corrida em Miami e continue com a equipe pelo resto da temporada. O relatório também indica que Lawson é visto como a melhor opção de longo prazo da Red Bull para ser parceiro do campeão mundial Max Verstappen, já que o contrato de Sergio Perez está prestes a expirar em 2024.
A carreira de F1 de Ricciardo tem passado por uma espiral descendente. Uma vez um competidor formidável com a Red Bull, vencendo sete GPs, ele perdeu sua vantagem. Seu tempo na Renault foi sem brilho, e seu desempenho na McLaren foi decepcionante. Apesar das altas expectativas, Ricciardo não conseguiu alcançar seu potencial na McLaren, levando Lando Norris a superá-lo. A McLaren tomou a decisão de pagar Ricciardo antecipadamente e substituí-lo por Oscar Piastri, uma decisão que se mostrou um sucesso.
After a period of unemployment, Ricciardo got another chance when Nyck de Vries underperformed as a driver for AlphaTauri. De Vries struggled to find his place in F1 and was eventually replaced by Ricciardo. However, the question arises: how long can a driver hold onto a race seat while a deserving talent is being overlooked? The answer often comes down to financial considerations.
Ricciardo’s management team at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Sports not only handles his racing career, but also secures sponsorship deals for the Red Bull junior team. They recently brokered a $35 million sponsorship deal with Visa CashApp. Additionally, Ricciardo’s agents at CAA are exploring opportunities to expand his existing businesses, including his clothing brand, Ric3, and his wine company, DR3 Wines by St Hugo, which are experiencing significant growth in the American market. Ricciardo also has endorsement deals with various brands and a growing relationship with the Bills and QB Josh Allen, who are also CAA clients.
Ricciardo is involved in several other projects, including his role as an executive producer on a Hulu series that will be the Formula 1 version of the popular show ‘Entourage’. This series is loosely based on the early career years of Mark Wahlberg in Hollywood.
According to CAA data, Ricciardo’s fan base has grown in the United States following the success of Netflix’s “Drive To Survive” series about Formula 1. This behind-the-scenes series has been available on the streaming platform since 2020.
In addition to all of this, the fact that Christian Horner, a strong supporter of Ricciardo, played a role in his return. It is understandable that Ricciardo returned to the team. Helmut Marko, who likely gave the final approval for Ricciardo’s return, also played a role. Initially, Ricciardo served as a reserve for the organization, and after the incident with De Vries, he managed to secure a spot back on the grid alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
However, the Ricciardo we knew from his days at Red Bull is no longer the same. Despite having nearly 250 starts in Grand Prix, 32 podiums, and eight wins to his name, he has been outperformed by Tsunoda, who is not considered a strong reference. The 23-year-old Japanese driver has already outperformed his more experienced teammate three times this season.
After ten races back with AlphaTauri (now VCARB), Ricciardo has only scored points once. If there was any chance of him securing the position he desires, namely alongside Max Verstappen, it seems highly unlikely now.
According to ESPN, the main sponsorship from Visa and CashApp is worth $35 million per year for the Red Bull organization. This deal was brokered by CAA. This explains why Liam Lawson is watching Ricciardo drive slowly, when in reality, the New Zealander should be in the car for the next race.
Furthermore, if Red Bull team principal Christian Horner were focused on his job instead of allegedly engaging in a flirtatious WhatsApp exchange with a female team member, perhaps he would have realized what we all saw last year with Ricciardo. It was clear that his time as a competitive driver was over. Bring on Lawson!
It is evident that Ricciardo needs to move on from Red Bull, as Max Verstappen will surely surpass him. It is hard to imagine Ricciardo replacing Sergio Perez, who has consistently performed well in the World Championship. Last year, Perez finished second behind Max in the F1 World Championship. Despite the challenges, Perez delivered and continues to do so this year.
We should not forget that Ricciardo was once considered a potential World Champion Driver. He was a bold and highly respected driver who even managed to outshine the four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull.
Now, Ricciardo holds his place not because he is one of the top 20 race drivers in the world, which he no longer is, but because it seems like his management team secured the spot for him due to his popularity and marketing value. But how long will this last?
According to ESPN, various sources have claimed that Visa and CashApp do not have the authority to prevent a driver from changing teams. However, his partnership with Red Bull GmbH, which chose to keep the second team instead of selling it, provides Daniel Ricciardo with an additional layer of protection.
The report also highlights the potential drawbacks of this agreement for Ricciardo. If he were to suddenly regain his previous form and perform exceptionally well, it could harm his aspirations within Red Bull if Visa and CashApp preferred him to remain as the face of VCARB.
After ten Grand Prix weekends in his second stint in Formula 1, it seems that Ricciardo’s return has been disappointing. Some individuals in the F1 paddock even suggest that he has regressed rather than improved, especially after his tumultuous time at McLaren.
Looking at the records, when Ricciardo was sidelined due to a hand injury from an accident in Zandvoort, his replacement, Lawson, did an exceptional job last season. The 22-year-old New Zealander impressed during the five Grand Prix weekends he substituted, even outperforming Tsunoda.
Considering Lawson’s performance, one can’t help but feel that he should be the one with ten races in his F1 career, instead of Ricciardo.
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The world of sports is full of excitement and surprises, and this year is no exception. From Lewis Hamilton’s impressive victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to the overwhelming success of Brazil’s football team at the World Cup, fans have been treated to unforgettable moments. But, among all the exciting stories, one stands out above all others: the incredible rise of a young athlete named Pedro Silva.
Pedro Silva, only 19 years old, is the new phenomenon in the world of sports. Born in a small town in Brazil, he always dreamed of becoming a professional football player. With a lot of hard work and determination, Pedro managed to catch the attention of scouts and was hired by one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Since then, Pedro has impressed everyone with his exceptional skills and unique playing style. His quick and precise dribbling leaves opponents helpless, while his powerful shots easily find the back of the net. It’s no wonder he is already considered one of the best players of today.
In addition to his talent on the field, Pedro is also known for his humility and dedication. He always makes sure to thank his fans and his family for their unwavering support. Pedro is an example for all young athletes who dream of achieving success, showing that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
While the world of sports continues to be dominated by big names and exciting stories, Pedro Silva is standing out as a rising star. At only 19 years old, he has already won the hearts of fans and is making his mark in the world of football. The future certainly holds great accomplishments for this young talent, and we can’t wait to see what he will achieve next.
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