Webber: A year may seem too long for Ricciardo

Mark Webber thinks that this year, which Daniel Ricciardo will spend on the bench of the Red Bull Racing team because he cannot race, will seem very long to him.

“Of course Daniel himself admits that he needs a break,” Webber reasoned in an interview with the Australian edition of Speedcafe. – He must understand himself, find new sources of motivation and energy to return to the sport. He openly says that he himself must understand the level of his motivation, and that is good.

I think he has a great opportunity for this now because he will be in a familiar environment, in the Red Bull team. There is no doubt that it will benefit this brand. Daniel is incredibly popular all over the world.

But a year away from the job will seem too long for him, although this may not be a bad thing, because he needs this break. During this time he will decide what 2024 could be for him.”

Mark Webber now follows the career of Oscar Piastri, another Australian driver who will make his debut season at McLaren, where he replaced Ricciardo.

“Oscar is very different from Daniel, I think he is quite a reserved person,” Mark continued. – Everyone has their own character. For example, in the years when Vettel won titles, he was not at all what he became at the end of his career. Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, like everyone else, also have their own characteristics and their own style.

Oscar is still new to our sport and it will take time for him to adapt to Formula 1, to get used to all this crazy carousel, to travel, to work with the press. He’s a very reserved, incredibly professional guy, and all of these qualities showed up when he competed in the junior categories. He is also very stingy with words.

As my wife said, “Of all the Australian riders who have ever ridden on the international stage, he is the most complex in character.”