Praise builds for Daniel Ricciardo as key Red Bull rival falters

If Daniel Ricciardo is involved in a job interview, the Aussie has all the answers while a key rival continues to stumble.

Daniel Ricciardo earned massive praise following a highly successful “job interview” on Monday, while a key rival copped another backhanded swipe.

Ricciardo has endured a rollercoaster of a Formula 1 season, relegated to back-up status with Red Bull before being ushered into a surprise AlphaTauri drive mid-season.

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A promising return to the grid was then marred by a broken wrist at the Dutch Grand Prix in August that forced him to miss five straight races.

He may have timed his return to perfection, however, after a jaw-dropping performance in Mexico City.

At the same time, the hugely under pressure Sergio Perez had another nightmare weekend for Red Bull, getting taken out at the first turn to end his hometown race very early.

Daniel Ricciardo and Christian Horner. Photos: Getty Images

Following P4 in qualifying, Ricciardo guided his AlphaTauri home in seventh and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner could not have been happier.

“You couldn’t fail to be impressed by Daniel this weekend,” Horner said on Sky Sports after the race.

“I mean his qualifying was outstanding yesterday and he showed his maturity and experience and pace in the race.

“I think that fighting a Mercedes in an AlphaTauri for their best result of the year was a great performance.

“Had it not been for the red flag, he might’ve finished even further up.

The pressure continues to grow on Sergio Perez (centre). (Photo by ANDRES STAPFF / AFP)

“He can take a lot of confidence, coming back from injury, he’s had a rough time over the last couple of months having to sit on the sidelines.

“But that’s the Daniel we’re used to seeing.”

While Ricciardo reminded everyone of his abilities in AlphaTauri’s best result of the season, Perez continues to struggle.

The Mexican opened the year with wins in two of the first four races to throw a challenge down to teammate Max Verstappen.

But as the Dutchman soared away to another championship victory, Perez has been going in the other direction and quickly.

Red Bull are desperate for a one-two finish in the driver’s championship, but Perez’s failure to finish in Mexico allowed Lewis Hamilton to close to within 20 points with three races left.

The man known as “Checo” is contracted through the end of 2024, but there is an understanding in the pits he is driving for his Red Bull future, while the likes of Ricciardo lurk ready to pounce.

Surely Daniel will be in place of Checo next year

— ع ا Ù„ Ù… (@Mobile_Junkee) October 29, 2023

Horner’s comments on Perez would not have given the 33-year-old the lift he desperately needs.

“As we see in sport, confidence is such a thing. His confidence is coming up,” Horner said of Ricciardo.

“Checo, we just need him to have a confidence-boosting result, and he could’ve had it today but it wasn’t to be.

“But no, great to see Daniel looking like his old self.”

They all only have to wait one week for another chance to impress, with the Brazilian Grand Prix getting underway next weekend in Sao Paulo.