Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has revealed he and other bosses had concerns over Daniel Ricciardo’s ability to overtake when considering him for promotion in 2013.
With Mark Webber retiring, the Milton Keynes-based squad had three options on the table to replace, Ricciardo, Jean-Eric Vergne and interestingly Kimi Raikkonen, who had worked with the company previously while rallying.
It was the Australian who got the nod and in his final race with Red Bull last weekend in Abu Dhabi, Horner looked back on that decision and the five seasons since, which saw Ricciardo take seven wins.
“Our biggest concern about Daniel wasn’t his pace it was we hadn’t seen him race wheel-to-wheel while he was in a Toro Rosso,” he was quoted by GPFans.com.
“But ever since he got in a Red Bull Racing car he’s done nothing but overtake and arguably has become the best overtaker in the business. He’s driven some fantastic races for us.
“His personality has been a tremendous fit for the brand,” he added. “His energy in that team has been hugely popular. The dynamic with him and Max [Verstappen], you’ve only got to at the mischief that they get up to. It’s been great.
“All we can do as that chapter closes is wish him the best of luck for the future and a new chapter opens with another young talent named Pierre Gasly.”
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While there has been some comments and speculation about if the rise of Verstappen led to Ricciardo’s departure, Horner believes their partnership since May 2016 has been great for the team.
“It’s probably the best one I’ve ever had in my career in terms of dynamics between the two of them respect the way they have pushed each other or they both benefit along the way they operate himself within the team,” the Briton stated.
“It’s been a very good rapport and they’ve both pushed each other to new levels.”