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Daniel Ricciardo Reflects on Leaving Red Bull and Missing Potential Title Chances
Daniel Ricciardo opens up about his decision to leave Red Bull and wonders if staying could have led to a world championship. While acknowledging Max Verstappen's exceptional talent, Ricciardo ponders the 'what ifs' of his F1 career.
Daniel Ricciardo, the charismatic Australian, has offered some candid thoughts on his departure from Red Bull, a decision he admits was pivotal for his Formula 1 career. Ricciardo, who made his F1 debut with HRT in 2011 before joining Red Bull’s junior team, Toro Rosso, rose through the ranks to challenge the likes of Sebastian Vettel during his time with Red Bull.
When Max Verstappen joined Red Bull in 2016, Ricciardo found himself in the midst of a fierce rivalry. The tension peaked during the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix when the pair collided spectacularly. Despite being offered a contract extension, Ricciardo opted to leave Red Bull for Renault in 2019, later moving to McLaren. His time away from Red Bull saw him achieve just one victory, while Verstappen thrived, becoming a four-time world champion.
Reflecting on his past choices in the 'Beyond the Grid' podcast, Ricciardo expressed uncertainty about whether he could have claimed a world title had he stayed. "I don’t want to say, ‘Oh yeah, I would have been world champion if I stayed,’ because that’s not a reality," he said, acknowledging Verstappen's prowess. "Max has proven himself as one of the best, and it's not fair to dismiss that."
Ricciardo admitted he sometimes wonders about the path not taken. "I guess I wish I would have stayed," he mused, although he also recognized the desire to step out of his comfort zone. "At the time, I felt I was getting complacent and wanted to try something different."
Despite the curiosity about what might have been, Ricciardo is pragmatic. "I don’t want to say it haunts me, but it’s the unknown that intrigues me," he admitted. "There’s also a reality where Max just kept improving, and it’s hard to say if I would have kept up."
Ricciardo's stint at Renault, a team that had supplied engines to Red Bull, did not meet his expectations, nor did his time at McLaren. He acknowledges that leaving Red Bull marked a turning point in his career. "It’s clear that from that point, my career took a windy and rough path," he explained.
Ultimately, Ricciardo's reflections reveal a mix of curiosity and acceptance. "If you want to call it regret or curiosity, then yes," he concluded. The decision to leave Red Bull remains a significant chapter in Ricciardo's racing journey, one filled with both achievements and unanswered questions.