Helmut Marko pushed for Ricciardo's exit in June, reveals Horner

Dominika Jordan
Oct 1, 2024, 05:06 AM ET

Horner: Marko advocated for Ricciardo's exit in June

Red Bull Racing's Team Principal, Christian Horner, has disclosed that Helmut Marko, the team's influential motorsport adviser, was keen to see Daniel Ricciardo leave the Red Bull junior team as early as this year's Spanish Grand Prix in June. Despite Marko's urging, Horner endeavored to extend Ricciardo's tenure, but the 35-year-old Australian's future at the team remained uncertain.

Red Bull Racing's Team Principal, Christian Horner, has disclosed that Helmut Marko, the team's influential motorsport adviser, was keen to see Daniel Ricciardo leave the Red Bull junior team as early as this year's Spanish Grand Prix in June. Despite Marko's urging, Horner endeavored to extend Ricciardo's tenure, but the 35-year-old Australian's future at the team remained uncertain.

Last week, following the Singapore Grand Prix, it was confirmed that Liam Lawson would replace the eight-time race winner, marking what appears to be the end of Ricciardo's illustrious 257-race career in Formula 1.

Having rejoined Red Bull midway through last year, Ricciardo's objective was to impress team management enough to be considered as a potential replacement for Sergio Pérez at the senior team. However, after just 10 races, Horner revealed that Ricciardo's position was already under threat as he consistently struggled to match the performance of his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda.

"I think it was the lack of consistency," Horner shared on the "F1 Nation" podcast. "I mean, he started the season roughly, then Miami was a weekend of two halves. The Friday and Saturday morning were fantastic, and it looked like the Daniel of old. But Saturday afternoon and Sunday were disastrous. Even around Barcelona, Helmut wanted him out of the car; there was already a lot of pressure on him there."

Helmut Marko has repeatedly emphasized the importance of bringing Lawson back into contention, signaling Red Bull's intent early on. Despite Horner's best efforts to buy Ricciardo more time, there was never a convincing enough argument that he was the right candidate to replace Pérez.

"I've done my very best to buy him as much time in the car to allow him to deliver, so otherwise he would have been out of the car after Barcelona," Horner added. "All the drivers are under pressure to deliver, but the reason that Daniel was in that car was to get himself back into a position ultimately to be there to pick up the pieces if Checo [Pérez] didn't deliver.

"And the problem was they both had issues with form at varying times. Checo started the season very well, very strongly, and Daniel was struggling. And then, as Checo lost form, Daniel found a bit of form, but it was never compelling enough to say, okay, we should switch the two drivers."

Christian Horner also mentioned that Ricciardo had been offered an ambassadorial role within the Red Bull brand, although he admitted that the chances of another return to racing were slim.

"Daniel is just a brilliant character, a brilliant human being -- he lights up a room when he walks into it," Horner said. "I hope he stays around the sport. We've made it very clear that we want him to remain in an ambassadorial capacity with the team, and of course, one never really knows. I mean, if Liam doesn't get the job done, if Checo doesn't get the job done, we know what Daniel's capability is.

"But I think for him, he knows, at the age that he's at, he's had a great career. So many memories. The most disgusting thing ever was drinking champagne out of his sweaty boot [as part of Ricciardo's race-winning celebrations]! But he made it his own, and he got some incredible people to drink the champagne from his sweaty shoe."

Despite this chapter coming to a close, Ricciardo's legacy in Formula 1 and his unforgettable race celebrations will remain a significant part of the sport's storied history.

Race Sundays - F1 - News - Helmut Marko pushed for Ricciardo's exit in June, reveals Horner

Helmut Marko pushed for Ricciardo's exit in June, reveals Horner

Horner: Marko advocated for Ricciardo's exit in June