“He’s Going?” – Ricciardo Recalls Nightmare Red Bull F1 Test With Vettel in 2014

When Red Bull opened their doors to Daniel Ricciardo in 2014, the Australian certainly would have dreamt of a dream start with the team. But, what he actually received was a very underwhelming start over the opening race weekend at the Australian Grand Prix.

Ricciardo fought hard to claim his first F1 podium at his home soil in Melbourne. However, his incredible accomplishment hardly lasted, as the stewards soon disqualified the Red Bull driver.

Hence, speaking about the troubled start to the Red Bull campaign, Ricciardo revealed his nightmare testing at Jerez. Apparently, the 4-day testing lasted only for 2 days, before he noticed his teammate, Sebastian Vettel, packing his bags and heading home.

What did Daniel Ricciardo say?

During a podcast, Ricciardo affirmed that a poor start to the 2014 season was inevitable, and the reason was solely Red Bull’s pre-season preparation. Despite coming into 2014 after winning 4 consecutive titles, Red Bull’s morale had hit the rock bottom.

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone in Northampton, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

“I remember vividly testing, I think, in Jerez. Maybe it was day 2 of a 4-day test or something,” Ricciardo told the ‘In the Fast Lane‘ podcast. “I remember seeing Vettel pack his bags. And I was like, ‘He’s going?’

“And then I remember speaking to the team and they’re like, ‘We’re done. Yeah. Find a flight and go home, basically’. And I was like ‘Wow, this is…’ And obviously, I had just come into the team after 4 world titles, and I was sinking down, just my luck kind of thing,” the Honey Badger added.

It was a wild weekend in Melbourne: Ex Red Bull driver

In the 12 days of testing ahead of the 2014 season, Red Bull only managed to complete 20 laps, consecutively. Hence, this led to major concerns over reliability. But, Ricciardo did manage to pull off a blinder in qualifying and ultimately in the race, only for the stewards to steal it at the last minute.

“Going into Melbourne, there were relatively low expectations. But, I still knew the team was a championship-winning team,” he said.

RICCIARDO Daniel (aus), Renault F1 Team RS20, portrait during the Formula 1 Winter Tests at Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“And I still knew that my teammate was a world champion. There was still a lot of pressure. I put a lot of energy into it. But, yeah it was a wild weekend. I remember all of it.”

It was overall a horrendous start for Red Bull, who left Albert Park empty-handed. While Ricciardo faced disqualification, Vettel retired from the race after lasting for just 3 laps. Nevertheless, after 6 years of desperate work, here they are, fighting for the title again, but will their efforts pay off?

Watch Story: When F1 Drivers Had a Blast on Top Gear Featuring Hamilton, Vettel & Ricciardo

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