32-podium F1 driver told he’s been going ‘downhill’ since the 2021 season

Follow us on Google Discover

A problem has emerged over the past few seasons that has threatened to make Formula 1 increasingly stale.

In the past, there was a frequent turnover of drivers at the end of each season – or sometimes midway through the year – that kept the grid fresh and provided rookies with an opportunity to impress, something Eddie Jordan has spoken about in the past.

However, that has happened less and less in recent years and speaking on The Race Podcast, journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm spoke about a driver who may have peaked some years ago.

The likes of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton will be racing in F1 into their 40s thanks to their recent contract extensions and Nico Hulkenberg won’t be far behind them after signing for Sauber / Audi.

This is making it difficult for rookies to find a way onto the grid especially when teams would rather stick with drivers that they already know rather than potentially taking a risk.

However, Mitchell-Malm was addressing comments from Jacques Villeneuve about V-CARB driver Daniel Ricciardo.

He admitted that he didn’t agree with everything the Canadian world champion said, but did accept that the 32-podium Ricciardo has been going ‘downhill’ since the 2021 season.

READ MORE: Visa Cash App RB driver Daniel Ricciardo’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Daniel Ricciardo going downhill since the 2021 season

Only 11 drivers in the history of Formula 1 have taken part in more races than Daniel Ricciardo.

Unless V-CARB drops the experienced Australian before the end of the season, he’ll be level with Ricciardo Patrese in 10^th in eight races time.

For much of that time, Ricciardo has proven to be one exceptionally consistent and one of the best overtakers on the grid when in the right car.

It could be argued that he was Max Verstappen’s toughest teammate at Red Bull although the Dutchman has progressed since their time together.

Ricciardo’s longevity in F1 is impressive, but a move to McLaren in 2021 followed a strong spell at Renault but never quite went to plan.

Lando Norris was the stronger of the two drivers during their time together and it wasn’t a huge surprise when Ricciardo was replaced by Oscar Piastri for the 2023 season.

Ricciardo’s strong relationship with Christian Horner played a part in him replacing Nyck de Vries midway through last season and senior Red Bull staff are still happy with his performances.

However, the 34-year-old can only spend so long in Red Bull’s junior team and with Sergio Perez confirmed for next year, it’s hard to see where he goes from here.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Visa Cash App RB F1 Team from team principal to Red Bull relationship

Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 career in a difficult position

Asked about Jacques Villeneuve’s assessment of Ricciardo, Mitchell-Malm said: “So, if [Jacques] Villeneuve had basically ended his rant about 60% or 70% of the way through, I think it would have been fine.

“It would have been harsh, it would have been biting, it would have been Jacques Villeneuve talking about something he doesn’t like.

“At its heart, the point that [Daniel] Ricciardo has underdelivered for too long and that his image is doing more heavy lifting for him now, that is correct.

“That’s not a controversial position to take. There was already concern about Ricciardo in 2021, the first year at McLaren and it’s only gone downhill since then.

“2022 at McLaren, an inconclusive at best part-season last year when he got back on the grid in AlphaTauri, what is now RB and a season that has had more lows than highs this year.

“Coupled with the fact that off-track elements like his profile, like his commercial appeal, experience, all of that stuff fed into why he’s in the team and why he’s getting this protection.

“It’s buying him some time and keeping him on the grid, he’s not going to get flicked the way Nyck de Vries was 12 months ago.”

Ricciardo needs to begin matching and beating Tsunoda if he wants to prove that he’s still at the peak of his powers.

He’s under pressure from Liam Lawson for his seat in 2025 and that’s one of the few battles left on the grid with the market beginning to shake out elsewhere.

However, it says something that a couple of the teams still looking for drivers aren’t interested in Ricciardo for next year.