The 2023 Formula One season brought a rollercoaster ride for Daniel Ricciardo, marked by a series of twists and turns. Initially, the Australian commenced the year as Red Bull’s reserve driver before stepping in for Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri. However, his stint at AlphaTauri was cut short after only two races due to a hand injury. Despite missing five races, Ricciardo made a triumphant return at the US Grand Prix, a race he holds dear.
Participating in just seven races throughout the season, Ricciardo managed to outperform drivers like Zhou Guanyu, Kevin Magnussen, and Logan Sargeant in the drivers’ championship, despite the latter three competing in all 22 races. As the 2024 season looms on the horizon, could it hold the promise of a more favorable outcome for the Australian driver?
F1 journalist Joe Saward has raised the possibility of Ricciardo making a surprising return to Red Bull in 2024. According to informed sources, there’s a contractual provision allowing Ricciardo to switch to Red Bull Racing early in the upcoming season if Sergio Perez fails to deliver a satisfactory performance. Saward noted, “I hear that if that happens, Daniel’s salary will triple, and Liam Lawson will come in to replace him.”
Looking ahead to 2024, Ricciardo has expressed confidence in possessing an edge over the competition. While Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner remains steadfast in his belief that Perez will retain his seat in the upcoming season, the murmurs about a potential return for Ricciardo add an intriguing layer to the team dynamics.
Despite Perez securing a solid second place in the drivers’ championship in 2023, there have been critics, including Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko. While Perez had a strong start to the season, claiming victory or second place four times in the first five races, his podium appearances dwindled from Monaco onward. In a car that dominated the field, expectations were high, leading to questions about Perez’s performance.
As the uncertainties of the 2024 season loom, Perez might find himself under scrutiny, with Ricciardo waiting in the wings for a possible return to Red Bull if circumstances dictate. The dynamics within the team and the competition for seats promise to make the upcoming season an intriguing chapter in Formula One.’
Leave a Reply