Could Ricciardo Have Saved His Red Bull Career in 2024?

Why Did Ricciardo Miss His Red Bull Comeback at Silverstone?

Ricciardo had a golden shot at Red Bull, but a lackluster Silverstone performance left Horner searching desperately for a Pérez replacement.

Daniel Ricciardo could have replaced Sergio Pérez last year, according to excerpts from the seventh season of Drive to Survive, which we have chosen not to review. Christian Horner had hoped to part ways with Pérez before the end of the 2024 season.

“If we keep going like this, we’re screwed,” Horner said. “What are we going to do with our Mexican? I’m starting to think the returns are diminishing. This weekend, we need to take a very close look at the other drivers. I’m a big fan of Daniel. He hasn’t been competitive, but we know what he’s capable of. I think he can sense there’s a chance.”

As reported by Crash.net, Daniel Ricciardo is seen talking with Paul Smith, the communications director, questioning Pérez’s situation: “I wasn’t sure to what extent they had made it clear to the public that Checo was somewhat on borrowed time.”

Smith replies: “What Christian has said publicly is that the way we’ve approached the Checo situation is through strong support, right? Rather than saying, ‘We’re definitely replacing Checo, he’s done, DR is coming back, and Liam is going to VCARB.’”

Smith then explained to Ricciardo that Sunday’s race was crucial for his chances of replacing Pérez: “For you, I think Christian is taking the time to see what happens here. He needs success.”

Unfortunately for Ricciardo, he finished 13th in the race and failed to impress Horner, who found himself in a difficult position without a viable replacement for Pérez at Racing Bulls: “We don’t have anyone else in the other car delivering standout performances.”

Liam Lawson was available at the time, and to say the New Zealander was growing impatient would be an understatement, as he told Paul Smith: “I need to drive. I’m going crazy if I don’t drive. I can’t take it anymore. Waiting and watching races, I’m losing my mind.”

In the end, Lawson replaced Ricciardo for the final six races of the 2024 season at Racing Bulls, and his performances secured him a Red Bull seat for 2025 in place of Pérez.