Helmut Marko Echoes Christian Horner’s Emotions as Daniel Ricciardo Registers Mega Performance

As the cheer for the home hero grew louder, Sergio Perez used every bit of the support to his advantage. He put in the best qualifying lap he has after the summer break, qualifying within a few tenths of a second to Max Verstappen. However, in a scandalous turn of events, Verstappen’s former teammate provided evidence to the Austrian Constructor that he could be what Red Bull needs. Daniel Ricciardo pulled possibly the slowest car on the grid among the top five, garnering praise from the Red Bull leaders.

In his comeback race in Austin, Ricciardo had somewhat of a false start. However, despite the grueling weekend at the Circuit of The Americas, the Australian has regained his composure at the Mexican GP. Teasing his former Red Bull potential at the back fielder team, the Honey Badger has pitched in an early shot to the RB seat

Daniel Ricciardo earns praise after his second comeback at the Mexican GP

Despite raising concerns about the bad habits picked up by Ricciardo during his stint at McLaren, Christian Horner backed the Australian, regardless. Although the brutal Team Principal called Ricciardo’s move from Red Bull stupid, he welcomed him back with open arms. After his first comeback race, Christian Horner mused that the Australian had met all the expectations. The Honey Badger has been nothing short of exceptional, the U.S. GP being a minor flub. After Ricciardo’s sensational lap at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Horner confessed, “Good to see both Daniel in P4 and Checo in P5.”

Helmut Marko lauded Ricciardo’s efforts. He resonated with Horner’s words and said to Sky Germany, “He got everything out of it. It’s a great comeback after his hand injury, and a good recommendation for the future.” The Austrian played a significant role in pitching Ricciardo as a possible replacement for Sergio Perez.

To test the Australian’s claim over the Red Bull seat, he was introduced to AlphaTauri replacing Nyck de Vries. However, the move was a leap in the dark for Red Bull.

But the gamble to bring Ricciardo back, despite his lackluster performance at McLaren, has paid off. However, by what margins, we’ll only know after the race. But the story for the home hero has already run its course in the Mexican Grand Prix.

READ MORE: “They Expect Results”: Despite Getting Enough Time to Adapt, Daniel Ricciardo Exposes Red Bull’s Brutal Reality

Home advantage devolves into home pressure for Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez put on a spectacular show for his home crowd. Amid the cheers, Perez found a significant pace advantage as he qualified fifth on the grid. Although not the best that we’ve seen from the Mexican driver this season, it surely was promising. However, qualifying on a rather empty circuit is much different than racing alongside 19 cars. Add the pressure of an uncertain future, the result could be devastating. And for the home hero, the race unfolded in a disastrous manner.

Perez was forced out of the race as he collided with the pole sitter. Although the RB driver had a phenomenal launch, taking the outside line, Perez tried to find a way ahead of Charles Leclerc. The move blew up in his face, causing damage to both the cars involved. However, for the home hero, his race ended at the first minute of the Grand Prix.

As he made his way to the pits, the Mexican driver was visibly angry and disappointed in himself. Banging the steering wheel, the RB driver sat helplessly in the ruins of his weekend.

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With Daniel Ricciardo making quick moves, he is pitching in a strong camp for the RB seat. And as Perez loses out in perhaps his last attempt to save his F1 career, the gears at the Red Bull Outfit are surely turning faster than ever before. The question of his retirement announcement in Mexico still remains open-ended.