Helmut Marko, an advisor for Red Bull Racing, stated that Daniel Ricciardo lost his competitive edge after leaving Red Bull for Renault in 2019. Ricciardo achieved seven of his eight race wins while with Red Bull before moving to Renault and then McLaren, where he secured victory at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.
After returning to Red Bull last season, it was officially announced that Ricciardo would step aside for Liam Lawson for the remainder of the season. Marko believes that Ricciardo’s decision to depart from Red Bull marked a pivotal moment in his career. He noted that Ricciardo struggled to find a winning car at both Renault and McLaren, with his sole victory at Monza attributed to unique circumstances.
Marko expressed uncertainty about what changed in Ricciardo’s performance since his departure, citing a decline in speed and his signature late braking maneuver. He indicated that Ricciardo attempted to regain his form in recent years, but his killer instinct seemed to fade.
Additionally, Marko implied that Ricciardo’s decision to leave Red Bull stemmed from doubts about being able to compete with teammate Max Verstappen in equal conditions. He remarked that Ricciardo appeared to be swayed by the allure of Renault and its former managing director, Cyril Abiteboul, even though the financial offers from Renault and Red Bull were comparable.
Marko mentioned past instances where Ricciardo struggled against teammates, and he highlighted Verstappen’s rise as a significant factor influencing Ricciardo’s choice to join Renault.
Reports suggest that Marko was a primary advocate for promoting Lawson to the main team, while Christian Horner supported Ricciardo until the end. Marko aims to reinstate the second team as a development platform for emerging talent.
Lawson, who joined Red Bull’s driver academy in 2019, now has six races this year to demonstrate his skills as the team evaluates his future within the organization, especially with uncertainty surrounding Sergio Pérez’s position.