Daniel Ricciardo rejoined the F1 grid in a shock return to AlphaTauri (now VisaCashAppRB) midway through 2023. However, the Australian driver had a poor start to the 2024 season against his much younger teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Questions have been raised over the Honey Badger’s future if he fails to improve. Red Bull Motorsport Consultant Dr. Helmut Marko urged the 34-year-old to improve his results. Now, Ricciardo has responded to these comments.
Helmut Marko had mentioned that Daniel Ricciardo needed to bounce back to save his F1 career beyond 2024. The Australian driver was asked if Marko’s comments had annoyed him. The Honey Badger made it clear that he was not affected by the words as talking to the media was an important part of Formula 1.
It's not annoying. The most important part of our job is the driving but a big part of it is talking [to the media]. Daniel Ricciardo said as reported by RacingNews365
The 34-year-old highlighted that he only returned to the sport as he believes he could make it back to the front of the grid. The Australian driver claimed that he belonged in the pinnacle of motorsport.
I know that I came back here because I believe I can do it, I believe I belong here.
Daniel Ricciardo recalled receiving questions from many about his comeback. The 34-year-old was asked if he was trying to prove himself in F1 or perhaps keeping people happy with his return. However, Ricciardo made it clear he was back in the sport for himself. The Australian driver was determined that he could still deliver results in Formula 1.
When people ask 'do you have a point to prove' or 'keep people happy'... I am here for myself because I know I can still do it.
Daniel Ricciardo claims he knows what is expected from his 2024 campaign
Daniel Ricciardo had a disastrous stint with McLaren in 2021 and 2022. The 34-year-old agreed to leave the team a year earlier than his contract. Ricciardo reunited with Red Bull as its third driver for 2023. However, the Australian was given Nyck de Vries’ AlphaTauri seat mid-season after an impressive Silverstone test in the RB-19.
It is evident that Daniel Ricciardo wants to get the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen in 2025. Milton Keynes has mentioned that the Australian driver is one of the candidates for Sergio Perez’s seat. Subsequently, Ricciardo mentioned that he knew the expectations from the grid for his 2024 campaign. The 34-year-old insisted that he wanted to make people proud during his comeback.
I do want to make people proud but if someone says something, I know it already because I have told myself that, and I know what is expected.
Certainly, Daniel Ricciardo will need to step up his performances in the coming races. The 34-year-old would be looking to get a decent result at his home race in Melbourne this weekend. However, it remains to be seen if the Australian driver can live up to the expectations this year.
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