Marko: Red Bull not as jovial since Ricciardo's departure
- Published on 31 Jan 2020 13:31
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- By: Fergal Walsh
The atmosphere within the Red Bull team is not as cheerful since the departure of Daniel Ricciardo, admits team advisor Dr Helmut Marko.
In 2018, Ricciardo announced a shock decision to depart the energy drink team and join Renault, who was considerably less competitive in the Formula 1 field.
Ricciardo won seven grands prix in his five years with the energy drink team, joining in 2014 as a replacement for compatriot Mark Webber.
MORE: Ricciardo: Nice to be named in Ferrari rumours | Red Bull to end title sponsorship deal with Aston Martin
The Australian brought a lively personality to the team and was consistently cracking jokes during his time there, forming a publicly lighthearted relationship with teammate Max Verstappen.
"The atmosphere in the team is good, but it is not as jovial since he went," Marko told Motorsport-Magazin.com.
"He is also one of the fastest drivers and can catch up excellently when he needs to. And his jokes are also missed."
Red Bull hopeful over positive 2020 season for Albon
Red Bull opted to place Pierre Gasly in at the team following Ricciardo's decision to leave, however midway through the 2019 campaign, Gasly found himself back at Red Bull's junior squad, Toro Rosso.
After half a season of difficult races and disappointing results, Red Bull promoted rookie Alexander Albon to the team, who scored top-six finishes in all races bar Brazil, where he was set for a podium finish before he was involved in a collision with Lewis Hamilton.
Marko praised Albon's efforts in the second half of the year with the Milton Keynes based oufit and is hopeful that the Thai racer will enjoy a strong season in 2020.
"Alex has done very well," Marko said. "He joined the team without having tested the car and he was in the points at every race except Brazil, where he was hit by Hamilton.
"He is self critical and knows where he can improve and it is all very positive. We hope that he will be a good teammate for Verstappen this year."
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Replies (7)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I still think RB and Ricciardo are on good terms, and I kinda think he has a seat ready for him there in case Renault won't fly and in case Albon doesn't get up to speed.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Ricciardo's departure was a big loss. Red Bull was the perfect home for Ricciardo, their brands complimented each other perfectly. Daniel was also a big personality. Gasly was just a downer in every way. whining and fault-finding. Albon is just a nice kid but very milquetoast. Performance-wise... well the results speak for themselves. Max wasn't challenged once by his teammate this year. Max clearly misses Daniel too. Not just the friendship, but those guys got the best out of each other too.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Losing first Vettel to Ferrari and Ricciardo to Renault were no doubt big blows to their brand. I think Gasly could be a good driver, but he seem very picky with what kinda car he is placed in. As for Albon: this will be the season we get to see his pace, I feel. Give him time, he got basically no time in the car before the switch.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Don't know about that. Marko is the kind of guy who holds a grudge, and now that Danny RIc is pulling down the big bucks, they'll never take him back for a price he deserves.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
He kinda is, but I don't think he holds a grudge against the drivers per se. I feel Marko is like a magpie, eagerly gathering drivers and trying to keep the best as safe as possible. So when a driver like Ric or Vet leaves, he blames "the people who took his shiny trinket". At any rate, money ain't an issue for Doctor Doom. Considering Ric's sponsors and marketability, he'd be worth it for them.
essaouira311
Posts: 158
The same applies to Seb. He and RBR were the perfect match. For different reasons, though.
But they were THE perfect match.
Scuderia and the Italians have a somehow "crazy" mentality. The GREAT Niki had said something about that many years after he had stopped racing...
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Seb was a perfect match for RBR when MW was there, bucause Mark was a good development driver. Seb has shown again and again when he's the number 1 driver the car development suffers.