Daniel Ricciardo’s sudden departure from Red Bull has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 world, fueling ongoing speculation and fan reactions. Recently, reports surfaced claiming that Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko wanted to dismiss Ricciardo as early as the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, a revelation that has set social media abuzz. Fans have voiced their frustrations online, not just about Ricciardo’s exit but also questioning why Sergio Perez remains with the team.
Ricciardo’s Red Bull seat was handed to young talent Liam Lawson following the Singapore Grand Prix, a move that caught many by surprise, though insiders had been anticipating it. Rumors about Ricciardo’s uncertain future with the team have been swirling since the beginning of the 2024 season. Unfortunately, Ricciardo, nicknamed the “Honey Badger,” struggled to deliver on expectations, failing to outperform his younger teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, in terms of race results and points.
With Ricciardo underperforming, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and his team made the tough decision to replace him with Lawson midway through the season. This move, however, coincided with another ongoing issue—Sergio Perez’s lackluster performance as Red Bull’s second driver. Despite falling short of expectations, Perez has managed to retain his seat.
Interestingly, as rumors about Ricciardo’s departure heated up during the summer break, new reports suggest that Marko was keen on letting Ricciardo go even earlier, after his poor showing at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he qualified 18th and finished in 15th place.
Fans took to social media to express their confusion and discontent. One fan questioned, “How is Perez keeping his seat before Daniel?” while another added, “Make it make sense, Helmut. Why keep Checo then?” Criticism of Marko’s driver management surfaced, with one fan commenting, “The way Marko treats his drivers is ridiculous.” Another fan hinted at Perez’s strong sponsorship backing, saying, “He should have done that with Perez instead… But money talks.”
Perez’s current position in the driver standings, 8th with 144 points, has been a source of frustration for Red Bull as it hinders the team’s overall performance in the Constructors’ Championship.
So, what exactly led to Ricciardo’s dismissal? Initially brought in as a reserve driver for Red Bull in 2023, Ricciardo quickly found himself back on the grid after the team decided to part ways with Nyck de Vries. His return to Formula 1 was met with excitement from fans and the team alike, but the results never matched the hype. Over seven races last season, Ricciardo only managed to collect six points, even including Sprint races.
The 2024 season didn’t bring much improvement for Ricciardo, as he only secured 12 points over 18 races and three Sprints. Meanwhile, his teammate Tsunoda, driving the same car, nearly doubled that points total. With promising young driver Liam Lawson waiting in the wings, Red Bull couldn’t afford to let him slip away to a rival team or leave him waiting until next season. Thus, after the Marina Bay Circuit race in Singapore, Red Bull opted to make a bold move and put Lawson in Ricciardo’s seat.
This decision has raised questions, especially in light of Perez’s continued struggles. Fans and pundits alike are left wondering what it will take for Red Bull to make a similar decision regarding their second driver, and whether Perez’s sponsorships and connections within the team are playing a role in his prolonged stay. For now, Ricciardo’s exit and Perez’s retention remain a hot topic among the Formula 1 community, with more developments likely to unfold as the season progresses.
