Ricciardo “Protected by Horner” but Seat at Risk

Daniel Ricciardo, a familiar figure in Formula 1, is facing increasingly harsh criticism over his performance, with Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, being one of the most vocal critics. Villeneuve has openly questioned why Ricciardo is still in F1, given his inconsistent performances in recent years. Despite the protection offered by Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, Ricciardo’s seat is under increasing threat.

During the Grand Prix weekend, Villeneuve, with Sky Sports, expressed his opinion forcefully. “Why is he still in F1?” asked Villeneuve. “We’ve been hearing the same thing for 4-5 years: ‘we have to improve the car for him’, ‘poor him’. Sorry, but it’s been 5 years of this. No. You are in F1. Maybe you are making this effort for Lewis Hamilton, who has already won several championships, but not for a driver who cannot keep up.”

Having had an uneven start to the year, Ricciardo’s position at Red Bull is often questioned. Although rumors of his departure did not materialize, the criticism continued, with Villeneuve being particularly vocal. Ricciardo finished fourth in sprint qualifying in Miami but did not maintain this form in main qualifying or the race, highlighting the need to improve his consistency.

Ricciardo’s relationship with Christian Horner was a decisive factor in his stay with the team. Horner has been a vocal supporter of the manager, highlighting his abilities and potential. However, Villeneuve suggested that this protection may mask the need for more concrete results. “If you can’t do that, go home. It has always been this way in racing. This is the pinnacle of the sport. There is no reason to go on and make excuses,” said Villeneuve.
Ricciardo’s career in Formula 1 began with great promise. During his time at Red Bull Racing, he was considered one of the sport’s brightest talents.

However, his move to Renault in 2019 and his subsequent seasons at McLaren in 2021 and 2022 were disappointing, affecting his reputation in the paddock. After a period out of racing at the start of last year, he returned to Red Bull after a promising tire test but was unable to recapture the form that distinguished him in his early years.

Villeneuve also pointed out that Ricciardo’s early wins were against a declining Sebastian Vettel and a young, still developing Max Verstappen. “He stopped beating anybody after that,” noted Villeneuve, questioning the relevance of Ricciardo’s past achievements to his current performance.

Villeneuve’s final criticism was particularly sharp: “I think his image kept him in F1 more than his actual results.” This statement reflects the growing realization that, despite Horner’s protection, Ricciardo must produce consistent results to justify his position among motorsport’s elite.

With the pressure mounting and young talent like Liam Lawson waiting in the wings, Ricciardo’s future in Formula 1 looks more uncertain than ever. To secure his seat, he will have to exceed expectations and prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.