Daniel Ricciardo’s 2024 F1 Struggles: A Closer L
The 2024 Formula 1 season has been a challenging one for Daniel Ricciardo, who returned to Red Bull Racing with high hopes of rejuvenating his career. However, the Australian driver has faced significant struggles on the track, sparking concerns about his future with the team.
Ricciardo’s performance has been underwhelming compared to his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, who has consistently outshone him. Tsunoda has secured points in five of the first eight races, guiding Red Bull to sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship. In contrast, Ricciardo finds himself 14 points behind Tsunoda, a gap that highlights his ongoing difficulties
A key issue for Ricciardo has been his inability to consistently progress to Q3 in qualifying sessions. This has placed him at a disadvantage during races, where starting positions are crucial. At the Monaco Grand Prix, for instance, Ricciardo qualified 12th while Tsunoda managed to secure the 8th spot. Ricciardo’s season hit another low at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, where he retired on the opening lap following a collision with Alex Albon’s Williams
Despite these setbacks, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner remains optimistic. Horner, who oversaw Ricciardo’s peak years at Red Bull between 2014 and 2018, believes that the 34-year-old can bounce back. “Daniel is a big boy and has been around for a long time. He knows how things work,” Horner said. “He just needs a good result and then the smile will return. I’m sure he’ll fight back. We’re only at race four”.
However, the pressure is mounting. Red Bull’s management must decide whether Ricciardo’s current form warrants keeping reserve driver Liam Lawson on the sidelines. Lawson, who performed admirably as a stand-in last season, is seen as a potential replacement if Ricciardo fails to improve. The team has already promised Lawson a race seat no later than 2025, adding another layer of urgency to Ricciardo’s situation
Ricciardo himself acknowledges the need for better and more consistent performances. “I want to try and take a good look at myself and see what I’m missing and then we’ll look at what the car can give me to help me out,” he said. “The frustrating thing is I can do it but it’s obviously not happening frequently enough. And that’s where I’m kind of getting frustrated with myself trying to understand why it’s not consistently week in, week out being a Q3 contender”
As the season progresses, Ricciardo’s ability to adapt and overcome these challenges will be critical. The next few races will be pivotal in determining whether he can secure his place at Red Bull or if the team will look to make a change before the 2025 season. For now, all eyes are on Ricciardo as he seeks to rediscover the form that once made him one of the sport’s top drivers.
