“You’re an Idiot”: Taskmaster Helmut Marko Once Put Daniel Ricciardo in His Place for His Childish Stunt

“The Doctor” of Formula 1 is one of the most feared personalities in F1. The Austrian has a reputation of being a hard and brutally honest man. Helmut Marko is one of the top guys in Red Bull’s team. He’s responsible for bringing many top talents to Red Bull like Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo, and more. And it is only fair for these recruits to be scared of the boss.

Daniel Ricciardo once explained, facing the fury of Helmut Marko. In an old interview with Nico Rosberg, Ricciardo revealed getting the much-feared phone call from Helmut Marko in 2010, before his first race for Red Bull.

Ricciardo said, “[It] wasn’t always nice seeing his phone.”

Taking about the worst conversation that has had with Marko, he added, “Basically I had a crash on my mountain bike and fractured my wrist and I knew I couldn’t do the first test. I could hardly move my hand but I still flew to Spain to try and show that I was going to at least try. I did the out lap and I came straight back to the pits and I just said sorry guys, I can’t.”

“So then my phone rings. Helmut [asked] What happened?” said Ricciardo. “I was like I really tried I couldn’t answer, I’m so sorry. You know we’ll let it heal and don’t worry, I’ll be ready for the first race. I knew it was gonna be tough.” 

Helmut concluded by stating, “You’re an idiot!” 

READ MORE: Refusing to Compare Daniel Ricciardo to F1 Benchmark Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen Himself Once Stood Testament to the Aussie’s Talents

Ricciardo will now return to Red Bull as their reserve driver after terminating his contract with McLaren this year.

Daniel Ricciardo is not counting on getting a racing seat with Red Bull

After Red Bull announced Daniel Ricciardo’s signing as their reserve driver, many feared for Sergio Perez. Conspiracy theories started floating that Ricciardo was going to take the Mexican’s place on the team. However, Daniel Ricciardo is keeping things realistic as he revealed that he won’t drive for the Milton-Keynes outfit.

The Aussie does not feel he’ll race again for his former team despite signing for them as their number 3 driver. When asked if a future race seat is in the offing with his former team, Ricciardo said on the F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, “It’s not… in terms of it’s not there, written.” 

The Honey Badger further added, “It’s not like, ‘Okay, if you’re doing really well on the sim, we’re going to promote you to a race seat’. But I think with time I will find my true answer, if the grid is what I want again in 2024.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Daniel Ricciardo makes parting promise to the F1 grid

Can the Aussie driver find a racing seat in 2024 or the future and return to the F1 grid?