Daniel Ricciardo Hits Out at Australian Champ Who Claimed He’s Past His Racing Days With 3-Word Message

There was a time during his Red Bull Racing days when Daniel Ricciardo was one of the most sought-after talents on the Formula 1 grid. However, his decline in form has been evident since his move to Renault, and later to McLaren, where he failed to meet the high expectations set for him. Despite efforts from McLaren to support him, Ricciardo was eventually replaced by Oscar Piastri, who has been making waves as a promising young talent in Formula 1. And this has led former Australian F1 champ, Alan Jones, to believe that the Australian driver may be past his prime. The Honey Badger has finally given a candid, no-nonsense response to Jones’ statement.

Even after his much-anticipated reunion with the Red Bull Family, Ricciardo’s return with the junior team hasn’t gone as planned, as he finds himself trailing behind his less experienced teammate Yuki Tsunoda in the opening races of the 2024 season, raising doubts about his prospects for a senior squad return in 2025. A disappointing P16 finish in Saudi Arabia, compounded by issues like a lengthy pit stop and a spin, has intensified pressure on the Visa Cash App RB driver.

Jones urged Ricciardo to deliver strong performances and start consistently outperforming his teammate if he hopes to secure a seat in a better team or return to Red Bull. He highlighted Ricciardo’s need for improved results, emphasizing that being at the bottom of the grid can’t be good for his career. “I hate to say it, but I think we have seen the best days from him. He has had his bum in a few decent cars, irrespective of what people say,” Jones told the Herald Sun.

This weekend will host Ricciardo’s home grand prix of Australia and he was caught up for an exclusive by News First at the Perth Airport. When asked about the statements of Alan Jones, the Honey Badger responded with a simple 3-word statement, “Not at all.“

The recent run of poor performance for Daniel Ricciardo has also garnered a word of caution from Red Bull motorsport advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko.

Marko says Daniel Ricciardo needs to up his game soon

Ricciardo has been touted as the perfect replacement for Sergio Perez in what the Aussie described as a dream comeback to the senior Red Bull team. However, having been outperformed by Yuki Tsunoda in the opening two races, Daniel Ricciardo has received a stern warning from Dr. Marko. The stakes are high for both Ricciardo and Tsunoda, with their performances under intense scrutiny. Marko, in his Speedweek column, emphasized the urgency for Ricciardo to deliver, stating, “Ricciardo has to come up with something soon.“

Marko, while acknowledging Tsunoda’s impressive qualifying performances, highlights the team’s struggle to maintain their position throughout the race. Despite strong starts, VCARB drivers fall behind as the race progresses. And while Racing Bulls continue to struggle with scoring points, Sergio Perez is delivering the results the senior team desires. With back-to-back second-place finishes, the Mexican driver is proving his worth by consistently scoring points behind Max Verstappen.

READ MORE: What Is Australian Daniel Ricciardo’s Shoey Tradition in F1?

Can Racing Bulls improve in the coming races to give Tsunoda and Ricciardo a car they can use to fight for points? Share your thoughts in the comments down below.