Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo has responded to former F1 champion Alan Jones’s suggestion that the 34-year-old’s ‘best days’ are behind him.
Daniel Ricciardo hasn’t had the easiest start to the season and will be hoping his fortunes change at his home race this weekend.
Speaking to 10 News First, the Australian didn’t seem fazed by the criticism being levelled at him.
Daniel Ricciardo responds to Alan Jones’s criticism
It’s an exciting time for Australian Formula 1 fans as they have two drivers to support in Melbourne for the first time since 2013.
Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo were both in the Red Bull family at that race and 11 years later, Ricciardo is still driving for the same team albeit with a new name.
He’s now joined on the grid by Oscar Piastri – who happens to be managed by Webber – and has been tipped to finish on the podium this weekend by Jones.
The former F1 world champion is very positive about the youngster’s chances but has questioned his more senior compatriot.
Daniel Ricciardo hasn’t had the best start to 2024 and Jones suggested his ‘best days’ are now behind him.
He’s also warned the 34-year-old that he needs to avoid blaming his car too often, although it feels slightly harsh to judge Ricciardo for the 41-second pit stop he had to endure in Saudi Arabia.
Ricciardo insists he’s under no pressure at Australian Grand Prix
The RB driver was asked by a journalist while in the airport heading to Melbourne: “Alan Jones says maybe you’re past your best, have you got something to prove in the next few days?”
Ricciardo simply replied: “Not at all!”
The Australian has been in Formula 1 for long enough to know that a few races don’t define your entire season.
He didn’t have the best time at McLaren before being replaced by Piastri but the injury he suffered in Zandvoort has to be taken into consideration when assessing his stop-start 2023 campaign.
Daniel Ricciardo will know that he needs to start beating Yuki Tsunoda as a minimum to silence the criticism coming from Alan Jones and others.
His ultimate goal is to drive for Red Bull once again, but if Sergio Perez continues to deliver results alongside Max Verstappen, then he might have to be patient for that chance.
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