‘Irritating’ F1 driver ‘doesn’t have it’ as fears raised for 34-y/o’s career

Follow us on Google Discover

Christijan Albers has branded Daniel Ricciardo ‘irritating’ and fears for the Visa Cash App RB driver’s career in Formula 1 past this season as he ‘doesn’t have it’ anymore.

The 34-year-old has endured a frustrating start to the 2024 season and is yet to score any points. Ricciardo enjoyed his best result so far this year at his home Australian GP last week. But he could only come home in 12th while his teammate, Tuki Tsunoda, secured a P7 finish.

Tsunoda registered all six of Visa Cash App RB’s points so far this term in Melbourne. He also out-qualified Ricciardo at the Perth native’s home race. The 23-year-old qualified in P8 while his eight-time Grand Prix-winning teammate claimed P18 amongst the 19 drivers competing.

Yuki Tsunoda is leading Daniel Ricciardo at Visa Cash App RB

Only Sauber star Zhou Guanyu posted a slower lap time in Q1 than Ricciardo having failed to improve due to damage to his front wing. The 24-year-old set a 1:18.188 lap time, compared to Ricciardo’s 1:18.085. Tsunoda set a 1:17.356 in Q1, a 1:16.791 in Q2 and a 1:16.788 in Q3.

Ricciardo did post a 1:17.466 during Q1 but lost the lap that provisionally placed him in P12 for exceeding track limits. Yet, even despite posting a time he believed was enough to reach Q2, Ricciardo was ‘puzzled’ by his deficit to Tsunoda. Now, he may be fighting for his future.

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

According to Auto Action, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has warned Ricciardo that he has until the Miami GP to improve or lose his seat at Visa Cash App RB. Also, Martin Brundle suggests ‘rumours are swirling’ in the paddock after Ricciardo’s difficult home race.

Christijan Albers fears Daniel Ricciardo ‘doesn’t have it’ anymore

Now, Albers admits that he fears for Ricciardo’s F1 career as the RB driver is unlikely to come out on top against Tsunoda. The former Minardi, Midland and Spyker F1 driver also suggests Ricciardo has lost the skill that won him eight races, make 32 podiums and take three poles.

Albers told De Telegraaf’s F1 podcast: “What irritates me a little bit is that he keeps laughing and doing activities around driving. Just focus on the racing. Only then can you start being funny again. As a driver, you want to go into hiding until you have beaten the rest.

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

“Then you can show yourself again. With him, it is the other way around. All those activities are just painful… I don’t see this going well with Ricciardo. He just doesn’t have it anymore.”

Along with out-qualifying and out-finishing Ricciardo at the Australian GP, Tsunoda was RB’s top driver in both sessions at the Saudi Arabian GP. The Japanese gem also started in front of his experienced teammate at the Bahrain GP before falling in behind through team orders.