Perth native Daniel Ricciardo is one of Formula One’s podium-topping star drivers. He currently drives for McLaren-Mercedes, but previously drove for two years at Renault, five years at Red Bull and two years at Torro Rosso, test driving for the latter in 2011.

Due to his six impressive Grand Prix wins, Ricciardo was named in the Governor General's 2022 Australia Day Honours List and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for “significant service to motorsport as a competitor and ambassador, and to the community”.

Unfortunately, 2022 hasn’t been all sunshine and roses for the young driver. It’s rumoured that Ricciardo is intended to be replaced at McLaren by young American superstar Colton Herta. After a rocky start in 2021 as a McLaren driver, Ricciardo’s stats weren’t looking great. His driving style just didn’t align with the newly designed MCL-35, and up until the 2021 midseason break, Ricciardo was qualifying on average 100.377% slower than teammate Lando Norris.

But have a look at the second half of the season. Ricciardo’s qualifying gap narrowed significantly to 100.122%, and he ended up finishing 0.5 places ahead of Norris. His 2021 season wasn’t great by his own standards – but it really wasn’t that bad.

Taking this into consideration, commentary and rumours surrounding the drivers’ imminent downfall seems to be overdramatic at best. We’ve all witnessed Ricciardo’s skill and ability when at one with his vehicle, and he and Norris have the potential be a force to be reckoned with. But after 2021, it seems that Ricciardo is on notice. Perhaps the old adage is true; a driver is only as good as his last race.

But let’s not forget that Ricciardo won McLaren’s first race in nine years only 14 rounds ago. Maybe we should cut him some slack.