Ricciardo Receives Career Boost in....

Ricciardo Receives Career Boost in….read more

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo, widely recognized for his charismatic personality and exciting driving style, has been handed a significant career boost despite facing setbacks in the 2024 Formula 1 season. Ricciardo, who was axed from his role with Red Bull’s junior team, Visa Cash App RB, back in September, has had his fortunes turn in a surprising way, thanks to overwhelming support from F1 fans.

Ricciardo’s exit from Red Bull came as a shock to many, as he was one of the most experienced and beloved drivers on the grid. His place was taken by young talent Liam Lawson, who impressed during his stint in the team. Lawson’s performance was enough to secure him a seat with the main Red Bull team alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen for the 2025 season. This unexpected change left Ricciardo in limbo, with no immediate confirmation of a return to Formula 1 in 2024 or beyond.

Despite the challenges, Ricciardo remains a fan favorite. His popularity was reaffirmed at the close of the 2024 season when F1 fans were given the opportunity to vote for various categories in the GPFans End of Season Awards. The categories ranged from ‘Best Non-Champion Driver’ to ‘Most Improved Team’, and even ‘Unluckiest Driver’. When the results of the poll were announced, Ricciardo emerged as the clear winner in the Unluckiest Driver category, receiving a massive 44% of the vote. This result highlights not only Ricciardo’s ongoing appeal but also how fans sympathize with his difficult season.

Ricciardo’s struggles in 2024 were well-documented. After joining Red Bull’s junior team in 2023, following a challenging period with McLaren, the Aussie hoped for a fresh start. However, his season with Visa Cash App RB was marked by consistent performances that fell short of expectations. Ricciardo found himself consistently outperformed by his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, and was unable to contribute significantly to the team’s points tally. This failure to deliver on-track results led to Ricciardo losing his seat for 2024, despite his vast experience and previous successes with Red Bull and other teams.

Nevertheless, F1 fans have not forgotten Ricciardo’s talent and charisma, leading them to declare him the unluckiest driver of the year. The decision to crown Ricciardo with this title comes as a recognition of his hard work and persistence, despite being sidelined. While Ricciardo may not have had the season he hoped for, his resilience in the face of adversity has not gone unnoticed by the fanbase.

In second place in the ‘Unluckiest Driver’ poll was Valtteri Bottas, who garnered 19% of the vote. Bottas, who moved to Alfa Romeo after leaving Mercedes, found himself in a similarly challenging position in 2024. Despite some strong performances, Bottas was unable to fully extract the potential from his car, leading to a relatively disappointing season. Bottas has often been regarded as a reliable and consistent driver, but the transition to a new team did not yield the results many had hoped for.

Carlos Sainz of Ferrari also featured prominently in the poll, finishing in third place with 18% of the vote. Despite securing a solid season, Sainz’s position in Ferrari remained uncertain, with rumors circulating about his potential departure from the team. Although not as unlucky as Ricciardo or Bottas, Sainz’s lack of progress and continued uncertainty over his future made him a contender for the unluckiest driver title.

Tsunoda, Ricciardo’s former teammate, also received some recognition in the fan poll, finishing with 16% of the vote. While Tsunoda had a relatively solid year, the young driver was overlooked for a potential promotion to the senior Red Bull team in favor of Lawson. Many felt Tsunoda’s consistent performances deserved more recognition, leading to his inclusion in the ‘unluckiest’ category.

Finally, Alex Albon from Williams completed the poll with just 3% of the vote. Albon’s season was largely uneventful, and while Williams had made improvements, the team still struggled to compete with the more established outfits. Albon’s efforts were overshadowed by other drivers, and his relatively quiet season left him with little fanfare.

Despite the challenging season for Ricciardo, the result of this fan vote is undoubtedly a career boost for the Australian. While his future in F1 remains uncertain, the recognition he received from fans reinforces his status as one of the sport’s most popular drivers. With Ricciardo’s undeniable talent and large fanbase, it is possible that the Australian may yet find his way back to the Formula 1 grid in the near future.

While 2024 may have been a year of disappointment for Ricciardo, this surprise fan accolade highlights his enduring appeal. In the unpredictable world of Formula 1, Ricciardo’s future may still hold exciting opportunities, and his loyal supporters are sure to be backing him all the way.