Formula 1: Australia GP Live The team principal of Red Bull, Christian Horner has slammed the decision of Daniel Ricciardo to leave Red Bull back in 2018. He had turned his back on a stratospheric offer and the timing couldn’t have been worse. Follow Formula 1 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“We put offers in front of him that were stratospheric. But Daniel could see Max Verstappen in the ascendancy and he didn’t want to become the second driver,” Christian Horner said.
Formula 1: Daniel Ricciardo on the MOVE again? Christian Horner slams Ricciardo for leaving Red Bull as he struggles at McLaren
Daniel Ricciardo was born in Perth and is 32 years old. After leaving Red Bull in 2018, he joined their rivals Renault in 2019. His first season with Renault was not so good as he finished 9th overall. But, his second season saw him improve immensely as he finished 5th overall.
In 2021, Daniel finally decided to move on from Renault and signed a contract with McLaren. Since then, the Honey Badger has struggled with his time at McLaren.
BREAKING: Daniel Ricciardo to join McLaren in 2021#F1 pic.twitter.com/CckaoJX4DX
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 14, 2020
Formula 1: Daniel Ricciardo on the MOVE again? Christian Horner slams Ricciardo for leaving Red Bull as he struggles at McLaren
Many people who are in the sport believe that Daniel is the second fiddle to the young Lando Norris. Daniel is driving under the shadow of the brit driver and somewhere in his head, his performance is getting affected. Lando Norris earns more than Ricciardo’s $17million a year.
Christian Horner had recognized Daniel’s talent at a very young age. He was nurturing him with Red Bull’s sister concern team Toro Rosso, now named AlphaTauri.
Daniel was later promoted to Red Bull and replaced the fellow Australian driver Mark Webber. He was then team-mates with four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel.
Formula 1: Daniel Ricciardo on the MOVE again? Christian Horner slams Ricciardo for leaving Red Bull as he struggles at McLaren
Formula 1: Daniel Ricciardo on the MOVE again? Christian Horner slams Ricciardo for leaving Red Bull as he struggles at McLaren
But Daniel Ricciardo could never become Red Bull’s number one driver. Max Verstappen was in the making as he was driving with Toro Rosso. He signed for Red Bull in 2016 and from there onwards it clicked for both parties.
Max has seriously gone about his business and is now the number one driver for Red Bull. On top of it, Max even won the 2021 Drivers’ title. Max and Daniel were neck to neck but eventually Red Bull invested in the future in the form of Max Verstappen.
Formula 1: Daniel Ricciardo on the MOVE again? Christian Horner slams Ricciardo for leaving Red Bull as he struggles at McLaren
However, Daniel left Red Bull after four years and this move left Horner astonished. Horner believes the timing he left Red Bull couldn’t have been worse for Ricciardo. Daniel felt that the Honda engine that Red Bull would be using will be less competitive.
But, Daniel’s prediction was later proved wrong as Honda produced a top power unit for Red Bull. Horner went on to say that Daniel is a ‘great driver with a big personality.’ Red Bull was at that time sad to see him leave.
Daniel hasn’t started the 2022 season on a good note. The season opener in Bahrain left him reeling in the fourteenth position. In the second race of the season, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix saw him retire his car after suffering engine failure.
The next round in this year’s calendar of Formula 1 moves to Australia. The Australian Grand Prix will start on 8th April and the race will be held on 10th April.
Formula 1: Daniel Ricciardo on the MOVE again? Christian Horner slams Ricciardo for leaving Red Bull as he struggles at McLaren
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