- Jones believes Ricciardo has lost the chance to secure a seat at Red Bull
- Legend has it that Red Bull is more likely to give a role to a younger star
- Jones predicts Ricciardo will have success with AlphaTauri
Australian Formula 1 legend Alan Jones has stated that Daniel Ricciardo is running out of time to win back a seat at Red Bull.
Ricciardo, who currently drives for AlphaTauri, says he is 'in love again' with the sport after spending some time away from Formula 1 last year.
The 34-year-old made his return to the sport earlier this year, partnering Yuki Tsounda, but has admitted he is eyeing a return to his former club Red Bull.
A return would mark a full-circle moment for Ricciardo, and Red Bull team boss Christian Horner appears open to the idea.
“Daniel is well known to us – it's great to have him back at Red Bull – and of course everything is open for 2025,” he told Sky Sports.
F1 legend Alan Jones believes Daniel Ricciardo has missed his chance at Red Bull
Ricciardo, who currently drives for AlphaTauri, is eyeing a return to his old team
“It's not a bad place for us to have options both internally and externally.”
Jones was the last Australian to win a Formula 1 driver's title with Williams in 1980 and he believes Ricciardo will not have the fairytale end to his career.
“I think (Ricciardo) is running out of time a little bit in that area,” Jones said Broad sports world.
“Sergio still has another year with them, and then there's always an emerging little star who gets that chance.
“I honestly think Daniel has probably lost the opportunity to return to Red Bull.”
Jones predicted the Australian will have success with AlphaTauri next season and believes he now has a better mentality.
“I think at some point Daniel was too preoccupied with the nonsense that was going on outside the cockpit as opposed to what was happening inside the cockpit,” Jones said.
Ricciardo left the all-conquering team in 2018 to be a big fish in a small pond but has rekindled his relationship with Horner
Jones says Ricciardo has a much improved mentality and will find success next season
“And I think he was probably… too preoccupied with external matters, instead of keeping his head down and concentrating on his driving.
'I think he even realized that he was probably not being led astray, but I think he let his mind wander a little bit to things other than Formula 1, and he has to get back to the core of what he is. good at, and that is driving a Formula 1 car.'