The main goal for Daniel Ricciardo since his return to the F1 circuit has been to secure a position in the Red Bull team. However, his performance in the 2024 season has been disappointing as he has failed to score any points. Throughout most of the season, Ricciardo has been outperformed by his competitors. This has put his spot at Red Bull at risk, with VCARB drivers being considered as potential replacements. In order to have a chance at joining the Austrian team, Ricciardo must improve his results.
Many people in the Formula 1 community believe that Ricciardo’s inclusion in the Red Bull driver lineup is purely for public relations purposes. The requirements for Ricciardo to secure a position in the top team have been set. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes that the 34-year-old driver must deliver exceptional performances that stand out. If Ricciardo improves his performance as the season progresses, even rival teams would take notice.
In addition to Ricciardo, another driver who has caught the attention of the energy drink manufacturer is a driver from New Zealand who made a strong impression during his brief debut in 2023. However, Horner has made it clear that there are no guarantees regarding this driver’s entry into the sport. The focus remains on the current Formula 1 racing drivers.
Sergio Perez has been performing well enough to secure a contract extension with Red Bull. However, Horner has been closely monitoring the development of all the team’s F1 drivers as potential replacements for Perez. He highlighted the significant performance difference between Ricciardo and another Red Bull driver. As a result, Red Bull will closely watch their partner team’s drivers and consider them for the next season. Additionally, another driver is also being considered as a strong candidate to join the Austrian team.
VCARB had a disappointing start to the season after a disastrous weekend in China. The team aims to score substantial points in the upcoming American race to establish a solid position in the lower ranks of the grid.
Daniel Ricciardo’s future in Formula 1 is currently uncertain due to his disappointing performances. The Australian driver must step up his game and deliver better results to prove his worth to the sport. His chances of staying at Red Bull have been severely impacted by his significant points deficit to Tsunoda. The upcoming races will be crucial for Ricciardo, who has already won eight Grand Prix events.