Ricciardo: An F1 flame that burnt too bright far too quickly? Coulthard weighs in
David Coulthard believes Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career never fully recovered after leaving Red Bull.
Speaking on the High Performance podcast, the former F1 driver said some drivers adapt and grow with success, while others are negatively affected by it, and Ricciardo, in his view, falls into the latter category.
“Daniel Ricciardo would be an example of that,” Coulthard said.
“One of the bright young talents that arrived in Formula 1, one of the best overtakers of his generation, always exciting to watch.
"And then just suddenly, as he left Red Bull, Renault was OK, McLaren, Lando outperformed him in both years, even though Daniel won a race.”
Ricciardo, the F1 talent that extinguished too quickly
That win came at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, McLaren’s first since 2012, but it proved to be the only real highlight after his Red Bull exit.
Coulthard noted that Ricciardo was unable to rediscover the form that once made him a regular podium contender, with stints at Renault, McLaren and AlphaTauri failing to reignite his career.
“Now he’s happily retired, I assume wealthy,” Coulthard added. “But it all felt like it was condensed into too short a period.”
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