Mar.26 - Daniel Ricciardo's Formula 1 career may now be in a two-race countdown to the end.

Not one to be liberal with praise, Red Bull's powerful F1 consultant Dr Helmut Marko has said several times in the past days that Yuki Tsunoda is doing enough to keep his place in the energy drink company's ranks.

"Franz Tost and I have always believed in him," he wrote in his exclusive column for Speed Week. "His problems were a lack of control, outbursts and a tendency to make mistakes. All of that has gone this season."

The same sort of praise, however, is not being directed at experienced former race winner Ricciardo, who at 34 was given another chance to keep his career alive at the junior outfit RB.

"No, it's not annoying," the Australian said when asked about the loss of support from Marko. "Obviously everyone's talking positively when things go well, and they don't talk so positively when they don't. It's just part of it."

However, the New Zealand Herald newspaper is suddenly reporting that Marko has in fact told Ricciardo that his seat is only guaranteed for the next two races - in Japan and China.

For Miami, Red Bull reserve - and New Zealander - Liam Lawson could bounce back into the race seat after impressing when Ricciardo was injured last year.

Rumours suggest the attempt to revive Ricciardo's career was actually the brainchild of the embattled Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

"He's a big boy," Horner said in Melbourne, "he'll pick himself up.

"I think it's still very early in the year to even be thinking about next year."

Ricciardo also has support within the Faenza-based RB ranks, including the team's CEO, Peter Bayer.

"Daniel found his pace again after qualifying," Bayer told Servus TV before departing Melbourne. "We believe that from now on we can really rely on him and that he will understand the car more and more."

Bayer said Ricciardo's current problem is that the 2024 car is simply better suited to Japanese Tsunoda's driving style.

"Yuki brakes later and harder," he explained. "Therein lies the secret, probably.

"The balance plays a role there, because if you brake hard, some of the aerodynamic support is lost. So it's up to Daniel to brake harder," Bayer joked.

"But that is where the difference lies at the moment."


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10 F1 Fan comments on “Red Bull's Ricciardo Faces Career Crossroads: Two-Race Ultimatum?

  1. Jere Jyrälä

    If he really only has two more GPs (rather than 3-5, as I could've envisioned) to improve, he needs to do that rather quickly.

    Reply
  2. smokey

    Sadly, Daniel is yesterday's hero! He entertained us with some great driving and overtaking skills in his formative years at Red Bull.
    However, following a turbulent time with Max, Daniel fled to Renault and fell into a deep hole! He tried to dig himself out of the hole with a move to McLaren, although the hole got deeper and he lost his competitive credentials.
    The move back to Red Bull was supposedly going to reinvigorate Daniel and a good fairy's magic wand was going to weave a spell to bring back the Daniel of old. Alas and alack, the propaganda created by his "homecoming" has not become a reality and he is once again overshadowed by what some would consider a lesser driver.
    The time has come for Daniel to hang up his hat and retire before his reputation tumbles further down the grid. Maybe a stint in Indycar? How about Nascar? Naahh, he wouldn't make the grade in Nascar!

    Reply
  3. shroppyfly

    They rate DR, They rate Honor, the bosses say DR your not quick enough step it up or your out--They blame DR not the car, with Honor , they say oh the cars not quick enough, the Boss comes out and says oh im sorry we arent giving the drivers? a good car,and the The Dame gets away with not adapting/coping like King G IS DOING, , and its not that RB are different to Merc , they all design a new car car each year, I just find it it funny,that its blame Daniel,but heaven forbid, don't blame a 6 time world champion for not doing the business........ But the press will latch onto it soon im sure

    Reply
  4. Susan

    DR may have the heart and personality, but it appears not what it takes to compete. He started with RB, went on to Renault, then on to McClaren. Every time he felt he had what it took to be a champion, however, with little success. He still feels he can win but again without success. Maybe time to try something new.

    Reply
    • Jere Jyrälä

      In addition to the two answers before me, he isn't exactly among the tallest drivers, so definitely zero correlation to his struggles.
      Otherwise, RUS, ALB, OCO, HUL, & STR (even VER should struggle) should have even greater struggles, if height/weight were an issue.

      Reply
  5. Steve F.

    Daniel is 5ft 10” tiki 5ft2”
    Dan weighs 72kg
    Yuki 52kg
    I think you can add weight to the package to bring the car up to minimum by placing ballast, which should be an advantage

    Reply

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