Daniel Ricciardo is facing a crucial point in his Formula 1 career, with only two races left to prove his worth to Red Bull or risk being replaced by up-and-comer Liam Lawson for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.
The New Zealand Herald reports that Red Bull’s Helmut Marko has given Ricciardo a stark ultimatum following a disappointing start to the 2024 season, highlighting the intensity of the situation.
Despite his aspirations of a strong comeback and rejoining Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, Ricciardo has fallen short of expectations, especially when compared to his teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
Throughout the first three races, Ricciardo has consistently lagged behind Tsunoda, facing significant setbacks in both Saudi Arabia and Australia.
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This performance gap has placed Ricciardo’s future with the team in jeopardy, stirring speculation about his ability to secure his position.
Red Bull has Liam Lawson as a potential replacement, who made a notable impression during a brief stint in F1 last year, stepping in for Ricciardo.
Lawson is considered by many within Red Bull to be the successor to Sergio Perez, rather than Tsunoda or Ricciardo, underscoring the high stakes for Ricciardo in the upcoming races in Japan and China.
The contrast between Ricciardo and Tsunoda’s performances this year is stark, with qualifying and race results heavily favoring Tsunoda.
Despite this, Ricciardo remains optimistic, reflecting on his unexpected challenges this year.
He recalls outperforming Tsunoda in Budapest the previous year with little preparation, which bolstered his confidence for a stronger season start in 2024.
Ricciardo’s struggle has been surprising, particularly after a full pre-season and the experiences of the previous year, which he believed would set a solid foundation for success.
Ricciardo’s recent comments reveal his determination to overcome these challenges.
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“I didn’t expect to start the season like this,” he admitted, emphasizing his readiness and underlying confidence despite the lackluster results.
He remains focused on his performance, steering clear of distractions, and maintaining a positive outlook.
As Ricciardo faces these critical upcoming races, his resilience and ability to rebound will be under intense scrutiny, with the potential for a significant shift in his career trajectory if he fails to meet Red Bull’s expectations.