BREAKING NEWS: Former Ricciardo Boss Reflects on the ‘Ov…

Former Ricciardo Boss Reflects on the ‘Overthinking’ Star’s Challenges in Formula 1

Daniel Ricciardo’s former Formula 1 boss, Alan Permane, has opened up about the Australian driver’s struggles during his time with VCARB, shedding light on conversations aimed at addressing his performance issues. The popular eight-time Grand Prix winner faced significant challenges in his final stint with the team, ultimately leading to his mid-season exit.

Ricciardo was replaced by fellow Australian Liam Lawson after falling short of teammate Yuki Tsunoda’s performance. It marked the second time in Ricciardo’s career that he had been released prematurely, having previously been cut from McLaren at the end of the 2022 season to make way for Oscar Piastri. The latest dismissal has sparked speculation that Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career may now be over, with the driver recently stating he was “done” when asked about rumors linking him to the new Cadillac F1 team.

In a candid interview, VCARB sporting director Alan Permane offered a detailed account of Ricciardo’s struggles with the team’s 2024 car. According to Permane, despite efforts to pinpoint the issues, neither Ricciardo nor the team could determine the root cause of his difficulties.

“Honestly, no,” Permane told Autosport when asked if the team understood why Ricciardo underperformed. “I don’t know, and he doesn’t either. We sat down and talked, trying to figure it out.”

Permane suggested that Ricciardo’s wealth of experience may have worked against him in this instance, as his tendency to overanalyze hindered his performance. “I was certainly worried that he was overthinking things. He was concerned about the tyres, that they couldn’t cope with the speed he would be asking of them,” Permane explained.

The former sporting director compared Ricciardo’s approach to that of his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who performed significantly better in the same machinery. “It felt like [Ricciardo] was using his huge experience to second-guess things that potentially weren’t correct, because Yuki wasn’t. Yuki was driving as quickly as he could, and it was working,” Permane added.

Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career spanned 14 seasons, during which he secured eight race wins and 32 podium finishes. However, his recent struggles have overshadowed his earlier successes, raising questions about whether he could make a comeback. The Australian driver’s departure from McLaren in 2022 marked the beginning of a challenging period, as he failed to regain his competitive edge with VCARB.

His dismissal mid-season not only ended his stint with the team but also cast doubts on his future in the sport. Despite rumors of a potential move to Cadillac’s new F1 team, Ricciardo appears to have closed the door on that possibility, indicating that his time in the sport may be over.

Permane’s comments paint a picture of a driver whose meticulous approach may have become a double-edged sword, complicating his ability to adapt to the car’s unique characteristics. While Ricciardo remains one of the most popular figures in F1, his recent struggles highlight the unforgiving nature of the sport, where even experienced drivers can falter when faced with new challenges.

As Ricciardo’s storied career seemingly comes to an end, his legacy as a race winner and fan favorite remains intact. Whether he chooses to explore other opportunities in motorsport or beyond, his time in Formula 1 will be remembered for his charisma, daring overtakes, and incredible victories.