Ricciardo F1 RETURN assessed as insiders make…..Read more
However, things did not go as planned. Despite initial expectations that he could replace a struggling Sergio Perez for the 2024 season, Ricciardo’s comeback quickly unraveled. He failed to show the same form that made him a standout driver in his early Red Bull years, and ultimately, he was dropped from the team mid-season instead of securing a full-time role.
Ricciardo’s decline in performance can be traced back to his time at McLaren. He was frequently outpaced by his teammate, Lando Norris, and struggled to adapt to the car’s handling, particularly on corner exits. Despite trying to adjust, the car’s limitations hindered his performance, and McLaren ultimately decided to replace him with Oscar Piastri after a season where Ricciardo finished 85 points behind Norris.
In 2023, after sitting out the first half of the season, Ricciardo was given a second chance with Red Bull. However, his struggles continued. By the end of the 2023 season, Peter Bayer, the CEO of Racing Bulls, pointed out that Ricciardo’s issues stemmed from the changes introduced by the new ground-effect floor, which had altered the characteristics of the car. Ricciardo’s driving style, which relied heavily on late braking, didn’t suit the car’s updated setup. Meanwhile, his teammate Yuki Tsunoda adapted better to the new car, scoring a significant number of points for the team in 2024, further highlighting Ricciardo’s struggles.
As the 2024 season progressed, it became clear that the latest generation of F1 cars didn’t complement Ricciardo’s strengths, which had been built around late-braking maneuvers and precise car control. While Tsunoda was able to adjust, Ricciardo couldn’t find the same rhythm, leading to his removal from the Red Bull team after the Singapore Grand Prix.
Insiders have offered conflicting explanations for Ricciardo’s failure to adapt. Some believe that the new ground-effect era was the primary issue, limiting his ability to compete at a high level. However, former Red Bull driver David Coulthard argued that top drivers should be able to adjust to a car that doesn’t suit their style, suggesting that Ricciardo may have simply passed his peak as a driver at the age of 35. Younger drivers, such as Franco Colapinto and Ollie Bearman, were excelling in their F1 debuts, raising questions about Ricciardo’s future in the sport.
Alan Permane, a former colleague of Ricciardo at Red Bull, suggested that a combination of factors contributed to Ricciardo’s downfall, including issues with the tires and his tendency to overthink his driving. Yet, no single factor could be pinpointed as the main reason for his struggles. Ricciardo’s inability to adapt in 2024 has served as a cautionary tale for Red Bull. The team’s indecision over Ricciardo’s future and their reliance on the aging Perez instead of trusting younger talent may have negatively impacted their chances in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship.
Ricciardo’s experience in 2023 and 2024 has led to important lessons for Red Bull, and it’s likely that the team will be more decisive in the future when making driver decisions. With the team now focused on their younger drivers, they aim to avoid repeating the mistakes made with Ricciardo
and Perez.
