Ricciardo joked that Max Verstappen owed him a present<\/a>, as his fastest lap meant that the Dutchman\u2019s fourth drivers\u2019 championship<\/a> was technically in his hands after Lando Norris\u2019 victory.<\/p>\n After the race, Ricciardo spent time in his car<\/a> and was emotional during his post-race interviews before Red Bull finally confirmed their decision in the break before the United States Grand Prix.<\/p>\n Grand Prix starts257Pole positions3Wins8Podiums32Fastest laps17Points1329Best championship result3rd (2014, 2016)Daniel Ricciardo\u2019s Formula 1 career<\/p>\n He was replaced by Liam Lawson, who just a few races later earned a promotion to Red Bull to replace Sergio Perez, before returning to Racing Bulls<\/a> after two events, with Yuki Tsunoda stepping up.<\/p>\n It highlights the mess Red Bull\u2019s<\/a> driver situation is in, with Ricciardo one of several victims of their decision-making.<\/p>\n After more than 250 Grand Prix starts, 32 podiums and eight wins, David Coulthard<\/a> has now explained why he thinks Ricciardo was never able to go to the next level.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Daniel Ricciardo\u2019s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend<\/a><\/p>\n Coulthard was speaking on the High Performance Podcast, and the Australian driver came up in conversation.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cYou see some drivers who evolve well. You see others who get affected by the success, and that affects their trajectory.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Daniel Ricciardo would be an example of that. One of the bright young talents that arrived in Formula 1, one of the best overtakers of his generation, always exciting to watch.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then just suddenly, as he left Red Bull, Renault was OK, McLaren, Lando outperformed him in both years, even though Daniel won a race.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then it never really worked out again at AlphaTauri. Now he\u2019s happily retired, I assume, [a] wealthy individual. But it all felt like it was condensed into too short a period.\u201d<\/p>\n YEARRACETEAMPODIUM2014Canadian Grand PrixRed BullNico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel2014Hungarian Grand PrixRed BullFernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton2014Belgian Grand PrixRed BullNico Rosberg, Valtteri Bottas2016Malaysian Grand PrixRed BullMax Verstappen, Nico Rosberg2017Azerbaijan Grand PrixRed BullValtteri Bottas, Lance Stroll2018Chinese Grand PrixRed BullValtteri Bottas, Kimi Raikkonen2018Monaco Grand PrixRed BullSebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton2021Italian Grand PrixMcLarenLando Norris, Valtteri BottasDaniel Ricciardo\u2019s F1 wins<\/p>\n Coulthard was then asked why Ricciardo couldn\u2019t find the speed he once had and explained: \u201cLife, you gain baggage as you go through life. If you\u2019re poor, that\u2019s a Tesco bag with a few clothes inside. If you\u2019re rich, it\u2019s a Louis Vuitton, but it all has to be carried.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, whether it\u2019s a baggage of wealth or whether it\u2019s baggage of success, or whether it\u2019s the baggage of poverty and difficulty, it\u2019s got to be carried to try and get to the next opportunity.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd for some people, maybe they\u2019re not able to let go and actually take themselves back to the moment that was the freest point, that saw their performances at the highest level.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: David Coulthard reveals the message he sent his \u2018buddy\u2019 Lando Norris when McLaren driver hit 2025 low point<\/a><\/p>\n Daniel Ricciardo\u2019s return to Formula 1 ruled out by Cadillac for the 2026 season<\/p>\n Ricciardo has been very quiet since his RB exit last year, but that hasn\u2019t stopped him from being linked with a return to the paddock.<\/p>\n Cadillac<\/a> will make their Formula 1 debut next year, and Ricciardo\u2019s popularity in the United States initially made him an interesting candidate.<\/p>\n It\u2019s well known that the American outfit want an experienced driver, with Valtteri Bottas emerging as a prime target for Cadillac<\/a>.<\/p>\n TEAMDRIVER 1DRIVER 2AlpinePierre GaslyN\/AAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollAudiGabriel BortoletoNico HulkenbergCadillacN\/AN\/AFerrariCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonHaasEsteban OconOliver BearmanMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesN\/AN\/ARacing BullsN\/AN\/ARed Bull RacingMax VerstappenN\/AWilliamsAlex AlbonCarlos Sainz2026 confirmed F1 drivers<\/p>\n![\"Racing](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2173762769-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Kym Illman\/Getty ImagesDavid Coulthard explains what impacted Daniel Ricciardo\u2019s Formula 1 \u2018trajectory\u2019<\/p>\n