Honey Badger Daniel Ricciardo Was Once Accused of Forcing Sebastian Vettel Out in a Career Defining Moment

A young new driver joining a team and outperforming the established driver of the same is a tale as old as time in Formula 1. We saw Lewis Hamilton do it to Fernando Alonso in 2007. This is what Christian Horner reckons happened between Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo as well.

The young Australian got his promotion to Red Bull after proving himself at the then-Toro Rosso in 2014. Ricciardo instantly made an impact at Red Bull and finished third in the overall driver’s championship. Vettel, on the other hand, could only manage fifth position. Ricciardo, taking all the plaudits and race wins for Red Bull in 2014, made Vettel seek a change in scenery.

“It was at a time where after the summer break, knowing Sebastian as well as I do, I could see he was very distracted and it was obvious something was at the back of his mind,” admitted Christian Horner in 2014.

“And I think Ferrari were courting him quite hard and around Spa/Monza was the time he made the decision to do something different next year,” added Horner.

Read More: Regretful Daniel Ricciardo Looks at Retiring Champ Sebastian Vettel Amid Approaching F1 Exit

There could’ve been other reasons as well. The rule change was a major factor as well against which Vettel protested for as long as he could. However, it was the German’s competitive nature that made him move away from Red Bull. Out of the shadow of a young Ricciardo and onto newer challenges with Ferrari.

Some would presume Ricciardo suffered the same fate as well a few years later at the hands of Max Verstappen.

Daniel Ricciardo suffered the same fate as Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel left Red Bull because he could see the tide shift in Ricciardo’s favor at Red Bull. This could also be the reason Ricciardo left Red Bull as well.

F1 expert Tony Jardine believes so as well. He said, “But he (Daniel Ricciardo) just, internally, will be seeing Max Verstappen getting stronger and stronger and stronger – not necessarily getting the better treatment – but he knows that he’s a real talent. He knows that if he stayed on there, he’s going to take second billing, and it’s been incredibly hard for him.” 

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History has a funny way of repeating itself. We’ve already seen it happen on the Red bull team twice in a space of four years. Do you think Verstappen will suffer the same fate toward the end of his career?