F1 News: Daniel Ricciardo "Under Huge Pressure" After Disappointing Season Start

Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft believes Daniel Ricciardo is currently under immense pressure in VCARB.

Nov 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alpha Tauri driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia (3) arrives / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The start of the 2024 F1 season has been less than ideal for Daniel Ricciardo, with Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft highlighting the mounting pressure on him. Concerns are also being raised about his synergy with the Visa Cash App RB (RB) car.

Key Takeaways:

• Early season performances have placed Daniel Ricciardo under the spotlight, with his ability to mesh with the RB car being questioned.
• Ricciardo's challenges include being outperformed by his teammate, casting doubts on his competitiveness within the team.
• The future of Ricciardo at RB is under scrutiny, with young talent Liam Lawson poised as a potential replacement.

Scuderia AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo arrives in the paddock area ahead of the Formula 1 / Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman /

Daniel Ricciardo's journey through the initial races of the 2024 Formula 1 season has been fraught with hurdles, eliciting commentary from prominent voices within the sport. David Croft, in particular, has articulated the intense scrutiny Ricciardo is under, especially in light of his performance at the Australian Grand Prix. Croft commented during an interview with Fox Sports Australia:

“He’s under huge pressure. Ricciardo has not started the season that well.

“I’m sure the RB will be a better car in time. It might not be the best car for him at the moment.

“But he’s been beaten by his teammate, and you have to judge yourself against your teammate, and that’s not in Daniel’s favour.

“I still think Daniel’s a fine driver.

“I think he deserves his place in the grid, but we need to see more from him, and that will be the message getting through to him.”

Oct 22, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Scuderia Alpha Tauri driver Yuki Tsunoda (left) of Team Japan and / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Amidst these discussions, the shadow of Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson looms large. Lawson's potential to step into a full-time F1 race seat adds a layer of urgency to Ricciardo's need for a turnaround in performance. Croft's warning encapsulates this sentiment:

"Liam Lawson is there and he’s ready. [RB’s] reason for being is to bring young drivers through. Is that Daniel Ricciardo?"

The Red Bull family is no stranger to cut-throat decisions, a prime example being Nyck de Vries' exit in 2023 after just ten races of his rookie season, so the pressure seems to be on the Australian driver to turn things around.