Red Bull Formula 1 boss Christian Horner claims Daniel Ricciardo’s potential return to the team rests in his “hands”, but cites that he must produce “head-turning form”.
After his ousting from McLaren at the end of 2022, Ricciardo was given an F1 reprieve with Red Bull’s sister side, known then as AlphaTauri, midway through last year.
Having seen his comeback disrupted due to a broken metacarpal from a crash at Zandvoort, Ricciardo entered this season aiming to stake his claim for a promotion.
However, the Australian has failed to score a point across the first five rounds and has lagged behind team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, who has bagged seven points to date.
Ricciardo admitted last week in China that his immediate focus has to be on delivering with the rebranded RB squad prior to contemplating a possible Red Bull return.
“Even talking now about going up, I don’t even want to talk about it, because I’ve got to get my season going even before talking or thinking about that,” Ricciardo said.
“So it’s not [at] the forefront of my mind right now. You [have] always got to prove yourself right. So I got to prove myself here again and get that ball rolling.
“But I think, you know, being here in the family, they know what I’m capable of. And I think that’s obviously really encouraging.
“So yes, we want to turn this thing around, but there is not some immense pressure that like you’ve got to show us you have the ability to do it because they know I do.
“But obviously now it’s just doing it, making it happen.”
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner was a huge advocate behind Ricciardo’s return and has supported the eight-time F1 race winner during his recent struggles.
While Horner has said the incumbent Sergio Perez is the favourite to partner Max Verstappen, he’s divulged that Ricciardo’s hopes are “pretty much in Daniel’s hands.”
“He needs to show the kind of head-turning form to make not only ourselves but potentially to make others take notice,” Horner added.
Meanwhile, Horner also suggested that Tsunoda, who has issued that he wants to progress up the Red Bull ranks, could become a genuine option for the senior team.
“Obviously, we keep a close eye on the drivers, we keep a close eye on their development,” he highlighted.
“And I have to say, Yuki, conversely, has had a great start to the season and is driving very well. So, for us, as a sister team, we take a close interest on those drivers.”
The decision regarding what happens with Ricciardo and Tsunoda is certain to have an impact on Liam Lawson, who deputised for the former at five rounds last term.
“Obviously, waiting in the wings is a driver with the talent of Liam Lawson, who naturally is champing at the bit to get an opportunity,” Horner noted.
“But there’s nothing pre-set or preordained as to when or even if that would take place.
“The priority is for sure for the drivers that are in the race seats at the moment and we’ll see how that pans out.”
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