Why F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo could soon be dumped by Red Bull

We have now likely seen the best of Aussie F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo on the track, a former world champ says, as complaints of “inappropriate behaviour” at Red Bull push the team towards an implosion.

Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on April 04, 2024. Picture: Peter Fox

Daniel Ricciardo’s failures at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park have followed him to Japan for Sunday’s race.

The career of the eight-time GP winner is over according to pundits who point to his eclipse by teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

Australian 1980 Formula One world champion Alan Jones says we have likely seen the best of Ricciardo, once one of the five best drivers on the grid.

Instead of taking over the seat of Mexican driver Sergio Perez at Red Bull next year, the former Perth driver who lives in splendour in the principality of Monaco is likely to be dumped from the Visa RB junior team.

This is in spite of support from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner who brought Ricciardo back into the team after a string of failures.

Horner is also under increasing pressure following the Melbourne race after allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” from a Red Bull employee now revealed as his former PA.

Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and wife Geri Halliwell. Picture: Clive Rose

The Red Bull team is in danger of imploding as a lawyer, said to be an independent barrister who cleared Horner, who is married to Geri Halliwell aka Ginger Spice, of any wrongdoing, has been identified as being no such thing.

The lawyer is in fact an employee of Red Bull’s controlling shareholder, who saved Horner from being sacked after hundreds of incriminating emails between Horner and personal assistant Fiona Lewiston were sent to journalists.

Meanwhile, Ricciardo has been rumoured to be romantically involved with former Home and Away turned radio star Kate Ritchie.

The 45-year-old Ritchie has denied cheeky speculation of any such involvement with the 34-year-old Ricciardo, who often appears on her program.

She says that while she was “crushing” on Ricciardo, his girlfriend Heidi Berger, the daughter of former GP winner Gerhard Berger, would not be impressed.

It seems there’s more action off the track in the F1 “circus.”