Daniel Ricciardo is caught in the middle of a significant power struggle within the Red Bull Racing team, and team principal Christian Horner is firmly in his corner. Despite a less-than-ideal start to the current Formula One season, Horner’s support for the Australian driver is steadfast.
Heading into the 2024 season, Ricciardo was seen as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez, whose contract with Red Bull expires at the end of the year. However, Ricciardo has yet to secure a top-10 finish this season, placing him four spots behind teammate Yuki Tsunoda in the standings.
Ricciardo’s return to Red Bull Racing as a reserve driver marked the beginning of a remarkable comeback. After parting ways with McLaren, he rejoined Red Bull in a supporting role, eventually earning a race seat with Alpha Tauri (now Racing Bulls) and a potential shot at a Red Bull Racing seat alongside Max Verstappen.
A critical moment in Ricciardo’s comeback story came during a test session at Silverstone in 2023. Ricciardo posted a lap time that would have placed him on the front row, right next to Max Verstappen. This impressive display of speed caught the attention of the Red Bull camp and the wider Formula One community, leading to his midseason replacement of the struggling Nyck de Vries in the sister team.
During this period, Sergio Perez was facing his own challenges. His performance was inconsistent, and he struggled to match the pace of his teammate, Verstappen. Perez’s struggles were a significant factor in Red Bull’s driver line-up discussions, opening the door for Ricciardo to stake his claim.
Ricciardo’s outstanding test performance at Silverstone and his subsequent move to Alpha Tauri were seen as crucial steps in re-establishing himself. By winning a seat at Alpha Tauri, he was given the platform to remind everyone of his talent and determination.
The speculation around Ricciardo potentially reuniting with Verstappen at Red Bull Racing has been rife. Although his performances in 2024 have been mixed, and Perez has improved his qualifying consistency, the door remains open for Ricciardo thanks to his significant support within the Red Bull camp.
Yuki Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been a consistent points scorer, with a standout performance at the Australian Grand Prix. However, reports suggest that Tsunoda has little chance of securing a seat at Red Bull, prompting him to explore options outside the team. Despite Tsunoda’s strong form, Ricciardo continues to have influential supporters like Christian Horner, buoyed by the infamous Silverstone test and his simulator work over the last 18 months.
Helmut Marko, a longtime advisor to the team, prefers reserve driver Liam Lawson for the future Racing Bulls seat. However, Marko’s influence has waned following a controversial incident involving Horner, where allegations of inappropriate behavior (later dismissed) weakened Marko’s position.
Horner remains a dominant figure at Red Bull, a team boasting six Constructors’ Championships. Ricciardo’s future, Perez’s contract status, and the potential promotion of reserve drivers such as Liam Lawson are all crucial elements in this unfolding drama.
As the Formula One circus heads to Canada this weekend, Ricciardo will have another opportunity to prove his worth. The power struggle within Red Bull Racing underscores the intense pressure and high stakes of Formula One, where team dynamics and individual performances can make or break careers.
The unfolding drama at Red Bull Racing serves as a vivid illustration of the high-stakes world of Formula One. Ricciardo’s future hangs in the balance, influenced by team dynamics and his on-track performance.
