Dr. Helmut Marko’s recent remarks cast doubt on Daniel Ricciardo’s position within the RB F1 team, highlighting internal uncertainties.
While he still aims to rejoin Red Bull Racing, Daniel Ricciardo might now be under pressure even to remain with the junior team, RB F1.
One reason could be the current situation with Christian Horner, given that the project to revive Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career after his departure from McLaren was originally Horner’s idea.
Dr. Helmut Marko might have been somewhat “forced” to bring Ricciardo back to Red Bull in 2023, as well as to promote him over Nyck de Vries. This was part of the power struggle that began to emerge last summer.
“Please understand that I am focusing on the sport here. I will continue to not comment on anything else,” Marko responds, without denying, when asked about this.
Even Ricciardo admits he has faced challenges so far in 2024 – a critical year given the expiration of Sergio Perez’s contract alongside Max Verstappen.
The Mexican, who brings a key sponsor to the team, receives good reviews from the Red Bull consultant.
“Great race,” said Marko, asked about Perez’s performance in Saudi Arabia.
“He passed (Charles) Leclerc relatively quickly and then gained those five seconds, actually matching Max’s times thereafter. We are very satisfied.”
As for Ricciardo, Marko is far less impressed.
“There are high stakes this season for Yuki (Tsunoda) and Daniel. Yuki’s performance in qualifying has been very good, but Ricciardo needs to find something quickly.”
“At least, Yuki is very good in qualifying. Then, he is at the forefront of the fight for points during the first stint, only to fall further behind.”
“Whether our drivers are putting too much pressure on the tires or if there are other reasons, that’s what we need to figure out.”
Ricciardo doesn’t take all the blame, stating after Jeddah: “I know we can be much better if we master the car. Not everything worked out 100 percent.”
Marko aims to free up a cockpit at RB F1 next year for Liam Lawson, who he believes was “just as impressive as a substitute driver last year as Oliver Bearman was for Ferrari (in Saudi Arabia).”
“Of course, today’s drivers are all well-prepared to advance. But it’s only if someone is really good that they can achieve such results right from the start.”
Ricciardo RB F1 Future. Ricciardo RB F1 Future
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