Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport, is always rife with speculation, rivalries, and drama. With each passing season, a new story unfolds, and one of the most intriguing narratives currently making waves is the battle for the No.2 driver seat at Red Bull Racing. Recently, an ex-F1 team owner, whose name carries weight in the racing world, boldly declared that Daniel Ricciardo has absolutely no chance of overtaking Sergio Perez for the coveted second driver position at Red Bull. This opinion has sparked debate among fans and experts alike, but does it hold merit, or is it just another hot take designed to fuel the F1 hype machine?

To fully appreciate the weight of this statement, we first need to examine the careers of the two men at the heart of the conversationDaniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez.

Ricciardo, an Australian born with a natural flair for racing, became a fan favorite during his time at Red Bull. After joining the team in 2014, he quickly established himself as a formidable driver with multiple podium finishes and a reputation for delivering thrilling performances on track. His smile, coupled with his infectious personality, made him beloved by fans around the world. However, despite his many podiums, Ricciardo never managed to capture a World Championship during his Red Bull days, with the dominance of teammate Sebastian Vettel and later, Max Verstappen, proving too much to overcome.

In 2019, Ricciardo made the bold decision to leave Red Bull and join Renault (now Alpine). While his time with the French team was not without merit, he struggled to challenge the front runners consistently. In 2021, Ricciardo found himself back in the F1 spotlight when he joined McLaren, but a combination of car struggles and the meteoric rise of teammate Lando Norris left him searching for his former glory.

Since joining Red Bull, Perez has played a crucial role in supporting Max Verstappens championship efforts while also delivering solid performances, including several podium finishes. Though he hasnt been able to match Verstappens dominance, Perez has consistently demonstrated his ability to extract performance from the car and is often the driver that brings home valuable points for the team in a constructors championship battle. Its safe to say that Perez has earned his place as Red Bulls No.2 driver, despite ongoing discussions about his future with the team.

Now, we turn our attention to the statement made by the ex-F1 team owner. According to this individual, Ricciardo has absolutely no chance of beating Perez to the No.2 seat at Red Bull. While this might sound like an exaggeration, the reasoning behind the claim is rooted in the current state of Formula 1.

For one, Ricciardos time away from the top teams has not gone unnoticed. Despite his skill and experience, he has struggled to match the pace of younger, more established drivers like Verstappen and Norris. Ricciardos return to AlphaTauri (Red Bulls sister team) in 2023 after a year out of racing did not set the world on fire, and his performances were often overshadowed by the rise of other talents in the sport.

In contrast, Perez has been firmly established as Red Bulls No.2 driver. His ability to bring in consistent results, even if he isnt challenging Verstappen for the title, has proven invaluable to the team. Perez has often been the one to provide backup when Verstappen needed it most, whether in races or during the constructors championship battles. His experience, maturity, and tactical intelligence on track make him a key asset for Red Bull, and the team is unlikely to sacrifice this stability by replacing him with Ricciardo.

So, where does this leave Ricciardos future in F1? While its clear that he may not be in the running for the No.2 seat at Red Bull, his story in Formula 1 is far from over. Ricciardo has shown time and again that he is capable of delivering exciting performances when in the right environment, and with teams like AlphaTauri looking to rebuild, theres still a chance for him to carve out a meaningful role in the sport. Whether or not he can regain his former form remains to be seen, but one thing is certainhis passion for racing and his fighting spirit will continue to drive him forward.

In conclusion, the ex-F1 team owners prediction that Ricciardo has no chance of beating Perez to the Red Bull No.2 seat is a harsh but fair assessment. While Ricciardo remains a talented driver, Perezs consistency, experience, and invaluable role within Red Bull make him the safer choice. However, Formula 1 is a sport defined by surprises, and with Ricciardos never-say-die attitude, we may not have heard the last of this intriguing rivalry.