The end of the road: Daniel Ricciardo's tragic F1 decline

What happened?

Daniel Ricciardo, once one of Formula 1's brightest stars, has experienced a noticeable decline in recent years. Known as the 'Honey Badger' for his tenacious and fearless racing style, the Australian driver has found himself at a crossroads in his career. Once a consistent podium contender, Ricciardo's form dropped dramatically, leaving many fans wondering where it all went wrong...

Renault

In 2018, Ricciardo left Red Bull for a very lucrative contract at Renault. It was a decision that raised many eyebrows, however, Red Bull prioritized their efforts on Max Verstappen. The Australian's decision to leave the Austrian racing team hurt his career significantly, as he prioritized financial gains over competitive ambition.

Shift in priorities

The Honey Badger's departure from Red Bull marked a major shift in his career. He left one of the few teams capable of winning races, so his focus shifted toward brand-building and personal ventures, away from the tarmac.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Outshone by Lando Norris

Although Ricciardo maintained decent performances at Renault, his move to McLaren paired him with young Lando Norris, who completely outshone the Australian on the track.

Struggles at McLaren

His stint at McLaren was particularly challenging, marked by confusion and failure to adapt to the team's car. Ricciardo was an established driver, but struggled to squeeze any performance from a slower and more difficult car.

A step down

"He got away with it for a couple of years at Renault, but alongside another prodigious Max-like talent in Lando Norris came a rude awakening at McLaren, where all his post-Red Bull excesses brutally caught up with him over two miserable years," reports Planet F1.

Loss of 'mojo'

Ricciardo's issues at McLaren led to a major loss of confidence, where even Christian Horner highlighted that his driving style had changed drastically. Ricciardo appeared to lose his racing 'mojo' during his time at McLaren, and wasn't able to regain momentum.

Grosjean's crash

Many F1 fans will remember the nasty 2020 Grosjean crash, which saw the HAAS turn into a giant fireball. Ricciardo's decline may also be linked to safety concerns, as he is known for being a safety-conscious driver. He simply doesn't want to risk it as he used to. It's very possible his focus shifted away toward self-preservation, impacting his overall competitive performance.

The fear factor

There are similarities that one can draw between Jenson Button's experience and Ricciardo's. The Australian has developed a sense of fear or self-preservation that has drastically affected his performance. He simply isn't as hungry on the tarmac, he is another version of his former self.

Looking for a seat

Ricciardo's future remains uncertain following his Red Bull exit. Many question if his heart is still fully in the sport and whether he will be picked up by another team ahead of the 2025 season. Time will tell!

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!