Ricciardo handed F1 champion praise despite ‘wrong move’

Marc Priestley believes Daniel Ricciardo possessed all the key ingredients needed to become an F1 drivers' champion.

The Australian driver, whose career racing in F1 came to a close after being dropped by RB mid-season, was popular throughout the paddock. Priestley feels his "great personality" is one of the many factors people look for in an F1 title winner.

The mechanic-turned-pundit, who was at McLaren from between 2000 and 2009, highlighted the fact that Ricciardo is one of very few drivers who has been able to go toe-to-toe with Max Verstappen in the same car.

However, whilst the now-four-time drivers' champion's career has gone from strength to strength since they were team-mates at Red Bull from 2016 to 2018, Ricciardo's went in the opposite direction.

The 35-year-old left the Milton Keynes squad for Renault as a seven-time grand prix winner, but was only able to add one further victory to his tally, in fortuitous circumstances for McLaren at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.

His struggles at the Woking outfit turned out to be the start of his decline, with a move to AlphaTauri/RB failing to revive his career after being shown the door early at McLaren.

Nevertheless, Priestley maintains Ricciardo could have secured a drivers' crown if it were not for the "wrong move" he made in heading to Renault, despite it being a decision taken at a point at which Red Bull was starting to gear its future towards Verstappen.

"Daniel Ricciardo could have absolutely won a world championship in his career," the 48-year-old told Casino Uden Rofus. "He certainly had the talent.

"Ricciardo was one of the only team-mates Max Verstappen had that showed some competition. It's a real shame how Ricciardo's career has panned out, the decision to join Renault and leave Red Bull was, in hindsight, the wrong move.

"Everyone hoped he'd become a world champion, he had the dedication, speed and great personality that you'd love a world champion to have."