Ex-F1 driver Gives ‘Dead Too Soon’ Verdict on Daniel Ricciardo’s Career

Daniel Ricciardo was one of the most, if not the most, loved drivers on the F1 grid. The Australian left the sport mid-way through the 2024 season after being snubbed by Racing Bulls due to failing results. Even though it’s been almost a year since Ricciardo left the sport, he is still seemingly relevant and equally loved as he was back then. Speaking on the 36-year-old’s early exit, ex-Red Bull driver David Coulthard reckons that the former left the sport too soon.

Daniel Ricciardo entered Formula 1 in 2011 with HRT, joined Toro Rosso in 2012, and stepped up to Red Bull in 2014. After leaving the team in 2018, he raced for other outfits before returning to the Red Bull family in 2023 with AlphaTauri (currently Racing Bulls). Ricciardo couldn’t perform well and switched between Red Bull’s reserve driver and then full-time for the sister team before being snubbed mid-way through the 2024 season.

Even though Daniel Ricciardo left the team due to failing results, people still loved him in the same way. David Coulthard reflected on Ricciardo’s career, especially after leaving Red Bull and joining other teams. Coulthard asserted that after leaving Milton Keynes, he did well at Renault before going to McLaren. At Woking, he was beaten by Lando Norris in both seasons, as his downfall began shortly after.

When he left Red Bull, he was doing quite well at Renault. At McLaren, Lando Norris beat him in both seasons, despite Daniel winning a race. At AlphaTauri it never worked.

David Coulthard said on the High Performance podcast

Speaking on Daniel Ricciardo’s life post-retirement, David Coulthard wasn’t too concerned. Ricciardo was also reportedly offered an ambassadorial role, which he denied. As such, Coulthard reckoned that the 36-year-old was happily retired from the sport and was a rich man in multiple senses. Still, the 54-year-old asserted that the Aussie’s career died down too soon.

Now he’s happily retired, and he’s a rich man. But it seems that it died too soon.

David Coulthard added

David Coulthard claims Daniel Ricciardo ‘overcame’ a lot in F1

Daniel Ricciardo didn’t get everything with ease in his career, as he had to work hard for everything. The Aussie fought a lot at Red Bull to prove himself superior to Max Verstappen, who joined mid-way through the 2016 season. Ricciardo outscored Verstappen in all three years he partnered with him and proved himself. Even his life at Renault and McLaren was full of struggles. As such, David Coulthard noted that the Australian overcame a lot in his career.