Daniel Ricciardo’s 2024 F1 Future: Implications of a Shaky Start
Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the Formula One grid has not gone as planned. His first Australian Grand Prix since his last home outing with McLaren two years ago was meant to be a moment of celebration, but instead, he found himself starting as the 18th and final car on the grid. While he managed to recover to 12th place in the race, he was well behind his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who scored six points for Red Bull by finishing in P7. This disappointing start to the season has implications for Ricciardo’s future in F1.
A Disappointing Beginning to the Season
Ricciardo had high hopes for this year, as he aimed to make his case for a return to Red Bull in 2025. Last summer, he publicly expressed his goal of returning to the team. However, the first three races of the season have not gone according to plan. Not only has his teammate, Sergio Pérez, been performing well and scoring points, but Ricciardo himself has struggled to find his form.
A Surprise Gap to Tsunoda
One surprising aspect of Ricciardo’s performance so far is the gap between him and Tsunoda. Australia marked the second race in a row in which Ricciardo trailed Tsunoda, and he has yet to score a point this season. In their qualifying head-to-head, Tsunoda has consistently outperformed Ricciardo, with an average gap of 0.446 seconds. Even if Ricciardo’s lap time in Melbourne had not been deleted, the gap would still be significant at 0.240 seconds.
Struggling to Translate Comfort into Speed
Ricciardo has opened up about his struggles, particularly in qualifying. Unlike his time at McLaren, where he lacked confidence and understanding of the car, he feels comfortable in the Red Bull. He has praised the car’s balance and performance under braking. However, this comfort has not translated into quick lap times. Ricciardo admits that he is puzzled by his inability to extract more speed from the car and plans to work with the team to find the missing elements.
Building Pressure and Expectations
As an eight-time grand prix winner, Ricciardo is under significant pressure to perform. Red Bull’s outspoken adviser, Helmut Marko, has already hinted that Ricciardo needs to step up his game. However, Ricciardo remains focused on his own journey and is not letting the external noise distract him. He is determined to find the necessary improvements and deliver better results on track.
No Immediate Threat of Replacement
While there are suggestions that Ricciardo could be replaced by Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson, a source familiar with the matter has dismissed these claims. According to the source, there is no looming deadline for Ricciardo to find his form. However, there is an expectation within the team for him to improve his performance levels.
The Fluidity of the Driver Market
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has acknowledged the fluidity of the driver market. Although it is still early in the year to think about 2025, Horner notes that the team wants to field the best pairing possible and may consider options outside their current lineup. As Carlos Sainz, an unsigned driver for 2025, demonstrated with his win in Australia, the market is constantly evolving.
Conclusion
Daniel Ricciardo’s return to Formula One has not started as he had hoped. He faces challenges in finding his form and matching his teammate’s performance. While there may not be an immediate threat of replacement, there is pressure on him to improve. Ricciardo remains focused on his journey and is determined to find the necessary improvements. The fluidity of the driver market adds an additional layer of uncertainty to his future. Ricciardo must quickly address his early struggles if he wants to secure his position and regain his place in the conversation for 2025.