“No one would have given Daniel Ricciardo a second chance in F1 like we did” – Red Bull. Helmut Marko explained that Red Bull's plan was to bring Daniel Ricciardo back alongside Max Verstappen.

Two flashes and nothing more
Mexico one year ago, the Miami Sprint at the start of 2024: these were Daniel Ricciardo’s two flashes in more than a full season in Formula 1 since he replaced Nyck De Vries before the summer break in 2023. The Australian driver’s Formula 1 experience ended once again in the Singapore Grand Prix, likely for good this time.

Red Bull boss Helmut Marko explained that the Austrian team’s plan was to bring Daniel Ricciardo back alongside Max Verstappen, but the plan didn’t materialize because the Australian’s performances weren’t up to par: “No one would have given Daniel Ricciardo a second chance; only we did,” said Marko in his usual post-race column hosted by *speedweek.com*. “Racing Bulls was supposed to be just a stepping stone for the former Renault and McLaren driver, but he didn’t show the speed or consistency to return to Red Bull. Only in Mexico a year ago and in the Miami Sprint this year did we see glimpses of the Daniel Ricciardo we knew, but his trademark daring overtakes were no longer there.”

The examples of Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto haven’t gone unnoticed by a strong decision-maker and supporter of young drivers like Helmut Marko: “All these examples show that young drivers deserve a chance; you don’t need 3-4 years of experience in a smaller team to aim for a prestigious team. Mercedes made the same choice we’ve made several times in the past,” Helmut Marko added, referring to the promotion of Andrea Kimi Antonelli to Formula 1.