Martin Brundle thinks 34-year-old F1 driver isn’t ready to face Max Verstappen if Red Bull hire him

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Martin Brundle has admitted that he doesn’t think AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo is ready if Red Bull decide to hire him as Sergio Perez’s replacement.

Brundle was speaking alongside Naomi Schiff on the Sky Sports F1 2023 Review Show.

There was plenty to analyse and enjoy about last season’s action, but one aspect of the year that will be looked back on for years to come is Max Verstappen’s dominance.

Winning 19 races in a Formula 1 career is impressive enough but to do it in a single year is unprecedented.

Unfortunately, the only real downside for Red Bull during such a run of dominance is the amount of pressure it puts on the other driver.

Towards the end of the season, there were discussions about whether Sergio Perez would be retained for 2024.

While he’s been backed to remain at Red Bull throughout next year despite Red Bull’s reputation for dismissing drivers early, his contract expires in 12 months.

Daniel Ricciardo has been suggested as one candidate who could potentially replace him at Red Bull, but Martin Brundle doesn’t believe he’s ready yet.

After months out of the sport, he returned to the grid with AlphaTauri before missing five races due to injury.

That inconsistency would have gone against him, but he’s still got to prove he’s the quicker driver in the Red Bull’s sister team in 2024.

Brundle unsure about Ricciardo to Red Bull right now

Asked who is next in line to replace Checo Perez if he does move on, Schiff said: “I would say Daniel [Ricciardo] probably at the moment.

Martin Brundle added: “I think he’s got more work to do before he shows that he’s ready to go up against Max Verstappen again Daniel Ricciardo.”

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted it’s his dream to finish his career at Red Bull and Brundle has previously sympathised with his situation this year.

He also has a huge fan behind him in the form of Christian Horner who originally brought him in at Red Bull in 2014.

A lot has changed in the past 10 years including the man he would be racing alongside.

Ricciardo had to fight against four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel during his first spell with the team.

If he were to be brought in again in 2025, there’s a good chance he would be experiencing a similar foe in Verstappen who will be aiming for his fourth title next year.