Former F1 Star Ricciardo Confirms Retirement After Performance Decline

Daniel Ricciardo's decline in Formula One performance after leaving Red Bull Racing has been attributed by former driver David Coulthard to an inability to adapt to the sport's evolving dynamics and a loss of the 'need to succeed.' Ricciardo, once celebrated as one of the best overtakers and a bright talent, experienced early success with Red Bull, outperforming teammates like Sebastian Vettel. However, following the introduction of V6 hybrid engines and the rise of Max Verstappen, Ricciardo's trajectory changed, with less impressive results at Renault and McLaren, where teammate Lando Norris outperformed him. Coulthard suggests that Ricciardo's early success may have contributed to a lack of motivation later, describing the psychological 'baggage' that wealth and fame bring to athletes. Ricciardo himself has confirmed his retirement from Formula One, expressing gratitude for his career but acknowledging he seeks new challenges outside the sport. His brief return with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in 2023 and 2024 did not revive his former form, leading to his definitive exit from F1.