Red Bull Formula 1 boss Christian Horner has labeled Daniel Ricciardo as his team’s ‘best driver‘ as the reigning champions continue to evaluate their 2025 lineup. Despite Red Bull dropping to third place in the standings in 2024, with star driver Max Verstappen set to secure his fourth consecutive title, reports have emerged suggesting that the team is considering replacing Sergio Perez for next season.
Red Bull’s history of making early decisions on their lineup is well documented, with their junior team, RB, having recently sacked Ricciardo after the Singapore Grand Prix and replacing him with Liam Lawson, who is now considered a strong candidate for a Red Bull drive.
Horner’s comments come despite Ricciardo’s departure from Formula 1. On the F1 Nation Podcast, he praised Ricciardo’s performances, highlighting his victories in the 2018 Monaco GP as some of the most impressive in his career with the team.
Horner noted, “He drove some brilliant races for us. I’m not going to name just one; I’m going to name a couple. Some of the races, like Hungary 2014, where our biggest concern when he joined us was that we didn’t know how good he was at overtaking. But he proved us wrong – he never stopped overtaking people! His late-braking and aggressive driving style made him stand out.”
“Looking back, his first win in Montreal, his performance in China 2018 – those were just outstanding,” Horner continued. “In 2014, for me, he was the best driver on the grid. That was his peak.”
As Red Bull debates their 2025 lineup, Ricciardo’s performance in those standout races serves as a reminder of his skill and racing acumen. The team’s decision on Perez’s replacement remains uncertain, with Ricciardo potentially back in the picture for a comeback to Formula 1.
