Ricciardo’s strong start to his return has garnered attention, and the scrutiny on his performance is expected to intensify in the second half of the year. He has expressed his desire to compete for Sergio Perez’s seat alongside Verstappen when Perez’s contract concludes at the end of 2024.
David Kennedy, a former Shadow F1 racer and three-time Le Mans winner, expressed surprise at Ricciardo not being considered earlier for the role. Kennedy praised Ricciardo’s performance during his time as Verstappen’s teammate, emphasizing his resilience and skill as a driver.