Personally, I have always viewed Ricciardo similarly to Kimi Raikkonen, expecting that if he were to win a Drivers’ Championship, it would likely be just one. There are three primary reasons why Ricciardo hasn’t won a championship and likely never will:
### 1. Bad Timing in a Mercedes-Dominated Era
Ricciardo joined Red Bull just as their dominance ended, coinciding with the rise of Mercedes in the hybrid era. This made it nearly impossible for any driver outside Mercedes to win a championship. Despite outperforming the four-time champion Vettel and later outpacing Kvyat, Ricciardo had little chance against Mercedes’ dominance.
### 2. Max Verstappen
Verstappen’s arrival at Red Bull presented a new challenge. Though Ricciardo was competitive against the young prodigy, Verstappen’s continuous improvement and Red Bull’s reluctance to guarantee Ricciardo the number one driver status led to a dilemma. Feeling undervalued and uncertain, Ricciardo chose to leave Red Bull rather than compete for the top spot.
### 3. Lack of Self-Belief
The best F1 drivers believe they are the best on the grid. Ricciardo doubted his ability to outperform Verstappen and opted for a seat at Renault instead of fighting for his place at Red Bull. This move, akin to a footballer leaving a top team for more security, didn’t bring him closer to a championship. At McLaren, he faced another formidable teammate in Norris, leading to further struggles.
In essence, while Ricciardo is immensely talented and admired, he never fully capitalized on his opportunities at top teams. Much like David Coulthard, Ricciardo had the skill for outstanding performances but lacked the final edge to dominate. Nonetheless, his personality remains beloved, and fans hope to see more of his iconic Shoeys in the future!
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