Janice R. Andrews
Red Bull Takes Collective Responsibility
Red Bull (RB) Formula 1 team principal Lauren Mekies has admitted the team’s collective failure in not making Daniel Ricciardo’s final stint a success. Despite Ricciardo’s proven talent and moments of brilliance, Red Bull struggled to provide him with the support and consistency he needed.
Reintroduced by Red Bull in 2023 as a backup option and a potential replacement for Sergio Perez, Ricciardo’s return faced hurdles. A hand injury sustained during practice at the Dutch Grand Prix disrupted his momentum, making his comeback even more challenging.
Even after a full off-season to prepare for 2024, Ricciardo struggled to deliver consistent results in the VCARB 01. Although he had standout performances—like securing fourth in the Miami sprint race and an impressive qualifying session in Canada—he was generally outperformed by his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda.
Ricciardo’s Exit and Lawson’s Opportunity
Ricciardo’s inability to find a consistent rhythm prompted Red Bull to drop him after the Singapore Grand Prix in favor of reserve driver Liam Lawson. Lawson’s strong performances have since solidified his position as a top contender to partner with Max Verstappen in 2025, surpassing both Ricciardo and Tsunoda.
Reflecting on the outcome, Mekies emphasized the team’s responsibility for failing to help Ricciardo regain his best form. “The question we were asked most often was: ‘Can Daniel still deliver the ultimate speed?’ And the answer is yes, he could—he proved it in races like Miami and Canada,” Mekies said.
“But the challenge isn’t about being fast occasionally; it’s about being fast consistently. Did we keep Daniel in that ideal zone often enough? Unfortunately, no. That’s on us as a team, and we take responsibility for it.”
Driving Technical Progress
Although Ricciardo’s stint didn’t yield the desired results, it pushed the team to expand their technical understanding. His challenges led Red Bull to thoroughly analyze their data, which in turn broadened their setup options and enhanced car performance. Mekies credited Ricciardo for helping the engineering team explore the limits of the car’s capabilities.
“With Daniel, we explored a wide range of the car’s potential,” Mekies explained. “This exploration provided critical insights into what the car could and couldn’t do, which has been invaluable for our development.”
The data gathered during this period proved beneficial not only for Ricciardo’s immediate replacement but also for Tsunoda’s progression. Mekies noted that efforts to address Ricciardo’s struggles ultimately contributed to the team’s broader technical improvements.
Ricciardo’s Off-Track Contributions
Despite his struggles on the track, Ricciardo made a significant impact behind the scenes. His experience with race-winning teams brought valuable feedback to Red Bull’s development strategy as the team underwent a technical overhaul.
“Daniel’s technical feedback and championship mindset were incredibly valuable,” Mekies said. “He provided critical direction for car development and set high standards for performance, which are crucial when building a stronger team.”
Ricciardo also played a key mentoring role for Tsunoda, helping the young driver grow. Mekies highlighted the strong relationship between the two, noting that Tsunoda had absorbed Ricciardo’s knowledge and improved his own approach.
Looking Ahead With Lawson
As Red Bull plans for the future, Lawson’s promotion reflects the team’s confidence in his potential. While Ricciardo’s return didn’t meet expectations, Mekies acknowledged his contributions to the team’s growth.
“Daniel’s time with us wasn’t easy, but his influence will have lasting benefits,” Mekies concluded. “His work helped lay the foundation for the team’s future success.”
Though Ricciardo’s second stint with Red Bull didn’t deliver the intended results, it proved instrumental in advancing the team’s technical capabilities and driver development. With Lawson stepping into a key role, Red Bull looks to build on these lessons and move forward stronger than ever.
