Daniel Ricciardo's Formula 1 career could have been so much more, according to Red Bull's Christian Horner. But was it really the team's fault that Ricciardo never claimed the ultimate prize?
The Rise of a Racing Star
Daniel Ricciardo, an Australian sensation, burst onto the F1 scene as a Red Bull junior, replacing HRT in 2011. He swiftly ascended through the ranks, joining Toro Rosso and then Red Bull within two years. In his debut season, he achieved the unthinkable, outperforming four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel during a year when Red Bull lost the titles to Mercedes. But this feat was overshadowed by the team's defeat, and Ricciardo's victory over a legend went relatively unnoticed.
The Red Bull Years
Ricciardo's time at Red Bull was filled with mixed fortunes. He won seven grands prix, yet his achievements were often downplayed. Initially, his success was compared to Vettel's decline, then it became a narrative of Renault's engine shortcomings against Mercedes. The final blow came with the arrival of Max Verstappen, the young prodigy. Despite beating Verstappen in two out of three seasons, Ricciardo's victory in the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix cemented Verstappen's status as Red Bull's future leader.
The Controversial Clash
The 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix marked a turning point. A clash between the teammates led to public blame being placed on Ricciardo by Red Bull. This incident allegedly prompted Ricciardo, nicknamed the Honey Badger, to leave for Renault, who had switched to Honda power. After moving to McLaren and then returning to Red Bull's sister team, Ricciardo never reached the heights he had envisioned.
What Could Have Been
Horner believes Ricciardo could have been a world champion if Red Bull had provided him with a more competitive car during his peak. During Ricciardo's tenure, Mercedes dominated with their turbocharged V6 engine, leaving Red Bull and Ricciardo playing catch-up. It wasn't until 2021, when Verstappen and Red Bull switched to Honda power, that they began to challenge Mercedes, eventually winning the title in 2022 and ending the Mercedes era.
Horner speaks highly of Ricciardo's personality and driving skills, expressing regret that the team couldn't provide the car he deserved. As Horner prepares for his speaking tour in Australia, fans eagerly await more insights into Ricciardo's story and Horner's plans for the future.
