For a driver that was once slated to be a regular title challenger whilst he drove for Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo is nowhere near his best. The 33-year-old came into F1 with lots of expectations on his shoulders and showed us what made him so good. But the years since his departure have completely changed him and his career.

A jaded Daniel Ricciardo has been a regular feature of the McLaren pits this season. Fans have noticed his ever-present smiling and laughing disappear. He was shipped out of his seat and hasn’t (yet) been able to find another seat.

His performances looked to have begun to pick up the latter half of the season, most recently earning a P5 at a tough Singapore GP. But a trip to the US GP only showed how far he has fallen. 

He only managed a P16 in a race where 3 drivers got DNFs. Danny was 90 seconds behind race winner Max Verstappen and 40 seconds behind teammate, Lando Norris.

A tired and disappointed Daniel Ricciardo spoke after the race

As per Motorsport-Total.com, speaking after the US GP, he said “I’m smiling because we’re almost done. We’re almost through [with the season]. I mean, it’s painful, for sure. It’s just one of those instances where it’s happened too many times this year that you know early in the race – lap eight, nine or ten – how the rest of the day will go.” (Translated via Google).

He went on to add, “You just see what the other cars around you can do and what I just can’t do. If I knew that, the year would have gone better. But it’s not just about three to four-tenths. I mean, even three to four-tenths are enormous.”

“I still remember when I was with Max [Verstappen at Red Bull], and at three to four-tenths behind I threw things around in my room. But now I’m missing seconds, and that feels so far away that it’s bizarre.”

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What’s next for the Australian now that the season comes to a close?

As the trip to Austin ended, there are only 3 GPs left for Ricciardo to prove himself. While next weekend they travel to Mexico City, they travel further south for the Brazilian GP soon after and later to Abu Dhabi to close the season. To date, the Australian is yet to finalize a seat for himself for 2023.

As per the most recent reports, Ricciardo might have to suffice with a reserve driver role at Red Bull in 2023. No other team (of his choosing) has approached him for a seat, while he looks to have rejected possible employment with Haas.

Former F1 driver, Jenson Button, however, feels that a reserve driver role does not suit a man of Ricciardo’s ability. Speaking after Daniel’s unremarkable performance at COTA, Button told Sky F1, “I can’t [explain it]. It’s sad because he’s such a talent and to see him right at the back of the field, I can’t explain it. It’s a tough one, but I don’t think he’s checked out.”

“Daniel will always want to fight but it’s just not working for him at the moment.”

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Whether the decision to take a reserve driver role or a seat at the back-of-the-grid team remains his, he has a tough task ahead of him if he sees himself driving in F1 again. What do you think he should do?