Nobody wants that second Red Bull seat, apparently. But I think giving it to Daniel Ricciardo is the objectively correct decision for several reasons:
1. At this point, they won’t know what they’re going to get from Daniel in a better car until they try it.
2. He’s been there and done that in a top seat, he’s not going to be shell-shocked in a garage next to Max.
3. His experience and maturity as a driver, who would be grateful for another chance, would keep him from causing internal trouble within the Red Bull dynamic. He’s a controllable second driver.
4. There is NO doubt in my mind he is bagging more points, consistently, than Checo is currently, so it’s an immediate improvement for the Constructor’s Championship.
5. I think he’s a safer set of hands than Checo, Yuki, Liam, and anyone else they have available right now. Exhibit A & B in quali today.
6. Moving Daniel allows them to get a half season of Liam vs Yuki, which becomes the tryout for the 2025 seat if Ricciardo flops
There’s just tons of logical reasons to do this, even though people have a visceral emotional response to it because they don’t believe he’s “earned” it. Perhaps not, but it still makes the most sense.
Ricciardo since he came back from injury
- Broken brake duct in Austin
- Red Flag in Mexico cost him 6th
- Rear wing broken by a loose wheel in São Paulo
- Caught up in turn 1 crash in Vegas
- Abu Dhabi floor update
- Lap 1 crash with Albon in Suzuka
I have an ear infection and with the pressure and the pain I have tinnitus and I can hear the blood whooshing.
Also, higher pitched frequencies, yeah they echo.
I do not like this at all.
so in summary
- the singapore gp might be cancelled over corruption allegations
- christian horner is under investigation for inappropriate behaviour (possibly SA)
- king charles has cancer
- stake race suits look like green highlighters