Home

F1

Daniel Ricciardo Labeled “Too Slow” by Helmut Marko as He Makes Firm Public Statement on Yuki Tsunoda

Published 03/22/2024, 10:49 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Imago

AlphaTauri, now Visa Cash App RB, had a super unstable season in terms of drivers last year. First, the young Dutchman Nyck De Vries was kicked out and replaced by the feisty Daniel Ricciardo, who was then replaced because of an injury by Liam Lawson. Ricciardo was given the junior Red Bull seat to see his potential and whether the Australian had what it took to make it back to the No.1 team. And now he has been labeled too slow by Helmut Marko. But what exactly did he say?

Daniel Ricciardo’s career went downhill ever since he left Red Bull for Renault. His stint with McLaren seemed to have finished the racer inside him but was rejuvenated when Red Bull signed him as a reserve. In a Pirelli test with Red Bull, after an eye-catching performance, he was put in the AlphaTauri seat. Alas, the favorite Australian hasn’t been able to impress as everyone expected him to. 

And now, as the Red Bull taskmaster commented on the Visa Cash App RB drivers’ Red Bull future, he called both Yuki Tsunada and Daniel Ricciardo too slow in the races. According to formel1.de Helmut Marko, said, “Both may be hoping for a place at Red Bull Racing and one should be clearly ahead of the other. So far, the Japanese have had the upper hand within the team and is certified by Marko above all a decent qualifying speed. But in the race, both are too slow. I think one point would have been possible in the first two races.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

via Reuters

Both Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda have to show the Red Bull management that they are strong contenders for the Red Bull seat. Sergio Perez’s Red Bull contract ends this year and the second Red Bull seat will be up for grabs. Also, with speculations around Max Verstappen’s move, a second seat might also become available. 

Liam Lawson impressed in the limited time he had in the AlphaTauri and with youngsters like Oliver Bearman climbing up, both Visa Cash App RB drivers need to pull up their socks. Let’s see what their performances have been like in 2024 so far. 

Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda’s 2024 Season

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Many including Zak Brown were concerned when AlphaTauri announced that they’ll be taking as many parts from Red Bull as they possibly can under the regulations. There was fear of a second Red Bull or a Red Bull copy. When the Visa Cash App RB 2024 car was launched, it did seem to have taken huge inspiration from the RB20. Many assumed that the car would be much faster compared to its predecessor. 

via Imago

However, the Visa Cash App RB was left with a midfield car at best. Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda finished the race in Bahrain in P13 and P14 respectively. In Saudi Arabia, the pair finished P16 and P14. Another disappointing result for the team. The Practice sessions in Australia don’t bring any hope either as both drivers seem to be toward the back of the pecking order.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

What do you think? Will Daniel Ricciardo be able to channel his older self and put forward a strong case for himself?  

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Pranay Bhagi

1,107Articles

One take at a time

Pranay is an F1 Content Analyst and writer at EssentiallySports who effortlessly blends his technical knowledge and passion for F1 in his writing. He has a knack for unique content research and specializes in trend-setting articles. Pranay’s coverage of the departure of Guenther Steiner from Haas received appreciation from readers.
Show More>