Daniel Ricciardo: the unfulfilled potential of F1's beloved maverick
Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool
Daniel Ricciardo will be long remembered as one of the standout drivers of the past 15 years in Formula 1. The recent results may not showcase his talent, but his legacy is undeniable.
Ricciardo's exit from Red Bull, finally confirmed on Thursday, was a drawn-out saga that ended in tears at the Singapore Grand Prix. The Australian driver was left in the dark amid swirling rumors about his future, only to race without knowing his true standing. After the race and his memorable fastest-lap sign-off, it became evident that Ricciardo knew his world championship dreams were finished.
The response to Ricciardo's departure—an outpouring of affection and frustration at Red Bull’s treatment of him—illustrates his impact on the F1 community.
In terms of performance, Ricciardo's stats are impressive: 257 race starts with five teams, eight wins (as much as Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc combined), three pole positions, and 32 podium finishes, many featuring his iconic shoey celebration. His last podium appearance came with McLaren at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.
His journey with Red Bull, from 2014 to 2018, now feels like a distant memory. Ricciardo's prime years demonstrated his talent vividly, but his struggles with McLaren and Renault (RB) might overshadow those achievements in some fans' memories.
Ricciardo was a key figure in boosting F1's popularity, a pioneer in leveraging the Netflix series "Drive to Survive" to transform himself into a superstar. His charisma and entertaining persona shone brightly, turning him into a household name and contributing to the sport's surge in popularity.
Many newer fans know Ricciardo more for his off-track antics than his on-track prowess. His impressive debut season in 2014, where he outperformed four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and clinched three wins in a Mercedes-dominated year, showcased his exceptional talent.
His victory against Vettel in that first Red Bull season was exceptional. Despite Vettel's struggles with the new generation of cars introduced that year, Ricciardo thrived, capitalizing on every opportunity Mercedes let slip and winning in Canada, Hungary, and Belgium. Vettel's subsequent move to Ferrari marked Ricciardo as a formidable contender.
Ricciardo's era saw Red Bull hampered by Renault's underpowered engines. By 2018, Ricciardo, alongside promising yet raw Max Verstappen, was the polished driver, known for his strategic brilliance and patience on track. His race-winning pass on Valtteri Bottas in China epitomized his approach: "lick the stamp and send it."
However, his departure from Red Bull after the 2018 season remains a defining and puzzling moment. Team principal Christian Horner expressed his disbelief, recounting how Ricciardo's decision to join Renault left him stunned.
Reflecting on Ricciardo's legacy, perspectives will vary. Some may focus on his Red Bull days, others on his Netflix fame, while some might remember the disparity between the Ricciardo on-screen and the one they saw struggling on-track. Nevertheless, Ricciardo's influence on F1 is substantial. At his peak, he made fans want to watch, and his absence will be keenly felt in the sport.
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