Carlos Sainz vs Daniel Ricciardo; Max Verstappen’s Ideal Teammate Picked by F1 Insider

Carlos Sainz‘s red dream has come to a premature end, much like what happened to Daniel Ricciardo when he got chucked out of McLaren a year early. The two have had an intertwined trajectory if we bring their time at Renault and McLaren into consideration. And while they haven’t crossed paths in the last 3 years, the two drivers are now aiming to be on the same team, i.e. Red Bull. F1 insider has picked a favorite.

McLaren left Daniel Ricciardo high and dry when things just didn’t work out for him. Seeing such a travesty with an 8x Grand Prix winner, his old motorhome extended its arms and adopted him back but as a third/reserve driver this time. And the man who was without a racing seat for six months and witnessed his home GP from the bench last year has proved that he has a lot of fire in his belly. But is that enough for that coveted Red Bull seat next to Max Verstappen? Natalie Pinkham thinks so.

Talking in the F1 Nation Podcast, Pinkham said, “I mean look DC you know I’d love Daniel to be back in Red Bull and I think he’s at a stage in his career where he can handle it ironically I think Daniel Ricciardo could put a better performance in at Red Bull than he even is now at RB because I think he knows that car and it suits him and you know he’s proven himself.”

But is Ricciardo the right choice? An F1 champion doesn’t think so.

Daniel Ricciardo responds to Alan Jones’ brutal opinion

“I hate to say it, but I think we have seen the best days [from Ricciardo]. He has had his bum in a few decent cars, irrespective of what people say,” said Alan Jones, voicing his blunt opinion on his compatriot Daniel Ricciardo. Ricciardo was at the airport in Perth heading toward this weekend’s F1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. He was reminded of a critical remark by Alan Jones, the 1980 F1 champion who is from Australia.

An interview from 10 News First asked Ricciardo, “Alan Jones said that maybe you are past your best. Have you got something to prove in the next few races?” Ricciardo replied, “Not at all.” He then ended the interview abruptly.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton’s Best Racing Days Behind Him; Australian Champ Gives Brutal Verdict on 7-Time Winner

Do you think Daniel has some good years left in him?