Daniel Ricciardo's second stint in Formula 1 was supposed to be a redemption arc, but instead it turned into a rollercoaster of moments of brilliance and frustrating inconsistency. Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies has now admitted that the team bears some responsibility for the Australian's struggles, acknowledging that they failed to keep Ricciardo consistently in the ” sweet spot” necessary for its success.
A Disturbed Return
Ricciardo returned to F1 with high hopes of reclaiming a seat on Red Bull's senior team, but his time with Racing Bulls in 2024 has been anything but smooth. After a troubled return in 2023, Ricciardo aimed to re-establish himself as a leading driver. However, while he delivered some standout performances—like a fourth-place finish at the Miami Sprint and a stellar qualifying session in Canada that put him in the top five—those moments were the exceptions, not the rule.
The inconsistency ultimately thwarted his hopes of replacing Sergio Perez at Red Bull, with Ricciardo sidelined six races before the end of the season. At the end of the season, it was rookie Liam Lawson who secured the coveted Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen, leaving Ricciardo's future in F1 uncertain.
Mekies: “We Share the Responsibility”
In an interview with AutosportMekies admitted that the team's failure to provide Ricciardo with the right conditions contributed to his disappointing performances.
“The question we were asked most often was, 'Can Daniel still produce the ultimate speed we saw?'” Mekies said. “I think he did it on a few occasions, in Miami, in Canada, and in quite a few other races. But for the team, as for the drivers, the biggest challenge is not being fast one day—it’s being fast every race.”
Acknowledging their shortcomings, Mekies added:
“Have we managed to keep Daniel in that sweet spot often enough? No, it's reality. I raised my hand, and we raised our hands as a team because we have a lot of responsibility for this. And that led to what happened.”
Experience versus Exposure?
The Racing Bulls' decision to bring back Ricciardo was not without controversy. Critics argue that the choice deprived Liam Lawson of additional exposure at the highest level, experience that could have better prepared him for his eventual promotion to Red Bull.
But Mekies defended the decision, highlighting the value Ricciardo brought to the team through his wealth of experience and technical feedback.
“There was a huge benefit for the team and for Yuki [Tsunoda] in terms of technical feedback from Daniel, development direction, [et] approach to winning races,” Mekies said. “Having someone who knows what it’s like to be on a team that wins races and fights for championships sets the benchmark. This means a lot at a time when you are trying to build the team and aim for better results.”
Mekies also highlighted Ricciardo's impact on teammate Yuki Tsunoda, praising their collaborative relationship and how it has helped the Japanese driver progress.
What's next for Ricciardo?
While Racing Bulls acknowledges its role in Ricciardo's struggles, his future in Formula 1 remains uncertain. Despite his flashes of brilliance, the winner of eight Grands Prix now finds himself at a crossroads in his career. Meanwhile, Racing Bulls move forward with Lawson, who has proven he is ready for the main stage, leaving Ricciardo to ponder what's next.
As Mekies summarized:
“There were lessons learned on both sides, but ultimately we didn't achieve what we all hoped for with Daniel.”
The saga of Daniel Ricciardo's F1 journey may not be over, but the Racing Bulls' thoughts paint a bitter picture of a talent who has struggled to shine consistently in a difficult environment. Fans can only hope that this isn't the final chapter of Ricciardo's remarkable career.
