Daniel Ricciardo Takes a Dig at Yuki Tsunoda

Before the 2021 season began, Formula 1 drivers were asked to write their predictions for the coming season. And it was in the race before Abu Dhabi that they opened their envelopes and checked their predictions. And for Daniel Ricciardo, two of his predictions came true, one to his own delight and one at the cost of Yuki Tsuonda’s delight.

This is because one of Ricciardo’s predictions for the coming season was regarding the upcoming rookie Tsunoda. The Japanese driver entered F1 as one of the most talented and promising drivers on the grid, but his rookie season was a mixed bag.

Anyway, the McLaren driver had predicted – “Yuki will grow.”

And when he looked at his prediction a season later, a very cheeky Ricciardo said, “I don’t know if that happened.”

Which prediction of Daniel Ricciardo’s came true?

Before the season, Ricciardo had written a very dramatic prediction for himself. It read, “I’ll take names and I’ll remind these cats.”

Basically, this was his way of saying that he will silence his doubters.

Because ever since he left Red Bull, and even towards the end of his Red Bull career, there were many people who had started criticizing and doubting Ricciardo’s potential. This is something which he reminded everyone of again in Monza as he said about his prediction.

“I did that in Monza. I definitely reminded some people so that one’s actually very accurate.”

Remind the cats, he did. But that doesn’t change the fact that his own season was disappointing as well. Sure, there were bits and pieces of the old Daniel Ricciardo here and there, but overall, the season was riddled with inconsistent performances.

Yet, that could be attributed to his own ‘rookie’ season at McLaren and the fact that he was still finding his feet. But that would change next season.

So in 2022, while Yuki Tsunoda can still get away with perhaps another such season considering his experience and age, Daniel Ricciardo might not have many more reasons left.

Also Read: “I Detached Myself” – Daniel Ricciardo on Max Verstappen ‘Jealousy’ Claims After His Red Bull F1 Exit