Daniel Ricciardo
Australiano · 2011–2023
Daniel Ricciardo was one of the most charismatic and beloved drivers of his generation, with a contagious smile that hid a ruthless competitor and a master of the late-braking overtake. The Australian from Perth made his name at Toro Rosso before getting the big chance at Red Bull in 2014.
That first year at the senior team was a statement: he beat four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and won three races, all of them from behind. His eight wins include gems like Monaco 2018, achieved while nursing a wounded car for half the race. His speciality — impossible overtakes, placing the car where no one expected — became his trademark.
Seeking to lead a project, he moved to Renault and then McLaren, where he never quite clicked despite a memorable win at Monza 2021. His later decline was sad to watch, but his legacy as one of the most spectacular overtakers and a natural ambassador for the sport remains intact.
What if Ricciardo had another car?
We took his real attributes and put him in the best car of each era — in a real driver's seat, against the team-mate that car actually had. 20 full seasons in each.
| Car | Team-mate | Finish | Wins | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLaren1988 | Alain Prost-87 pts | P2 | 1.9 | 0% |
| Williams1992 | Riccardo Patrese+1 pts | P2.1 | 4.7 | 35% |
| Ferrari2002 | Rubens Barrichello+31 pts | P1.3 | 8.5 | 75% |
| Red Bull2013 | Mark Webber+14 pts | P1.3 | 9.2 | 70% |
| Mercedes2016 | Lewis Hamilton-91 pts | P2 | 4.2 | 5% |
| Red Bull2023 | Sergio Perez+30 pts | P1.3 | 12.7 | 70% |
| Cadillac2026 · 11th on the grid | Valtteri Bottas+15 pts | P10.4 | 0 | 0% |
The only one who beats him is Lewis Hamilton in the 2016 Mercedes: 91 points clear over a full season.
Teams
Tags
Wins
8
Poles
3
Titles
0
Best year
2016
In-game overall
What would Daniel Ricciardo have achieved with a different car or in a different era?