Source: Official Team Post via X
Ricciardo Reflects on Leaving Red Bull: A Decision He Now Questions
Daniel Ricciardo has openly shared regrets about his decision to leave Red Bull at the end of the 2018 season. While he sought new challenges with Renault, he now wonders what could have been if he'd stayed alongside Max Verstappen.
Daniel Ricciardo has candidly expressed second thoughts about his departure from Red Bull Racing at the end of 2018. The Australian driver initially joined the team in 2014, stepping into the seat vacated by Mark Webber, and made an immediate impact by outperforming the then-reigning champion, Sebastian Vettel. However, despite being seen as a potential successor to Vettel, Ricciardo felt the need for a new challenge, which led him to Renault.
Christian Horner, Red Bull's team principal, implied that Ricciardo might have joined at an inopportune time. The team was not yet ready to challenge Mercedes for the championship, and by the time they were, Max Verstappen had emerged as the favored lead driver. Ricciardo's decision to leave was partly influenced by the team's engine struggles and a growing rivalry with Verstappen. He made it clear, however, that he wasn't running away from the competition with the Dutchman but was seeking a fresh start.
Reflecting on his choice on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Ricciardo admitted, "I wish I would have stayed, but I donât know. I left because I felt I was getting a bit comfortable, a bit complacent." He acknowledged that staying might have given him the best shot at a championship, but he was also wary of becoming too settled.
After a couple of years with Renault, Ricciardo moved to McLaren, where he struggled to adapt to the car. This led to a decline in his performance, and by 2023, he found himself without a race seat. Meanwhile, Verstappen and Red Bull rose to dominate the sport, winning multiple titles.
Ricciardo returned to the Red Bull fold as a reserve driver in 2023 and had a brief stint with AlphaTauri. However, after a series of challenges, including a broken wrist and limited point-scoring finishes, he lost his seat in 2024. Reflecting on his career trajectory, Ricciardo contemplates how things might have unfolded differently had he stayed with Red Bull.
Adding to his reflections, Ricciardo noted that his passion for racing was not as intense as some of his peers, such as Verstappen or Fernando Alonso. "I think Iâve understood that I do love driving, just my relationship with driving got a bit messed up," he explained, differentiating himself from those who live and breathe racing.
Ultimately, Ricciardo's story is a reminder of the complex decisions drivers face in their careers and the unpredictable nature of Formula 1.