This weekend is the first Australian Grand Prix to take place without Daniel Ricciardo on the grid since 2011, leading to us asking how much Formula 1 misses him in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.
Ben Anderson and Claire Cottingham join Edd Straw to discuss what vacuum, if any, is left by Ricciardo being on the sidelines as Red Bull reserve driver considering the 33-year-old is well-established as one of F1’s big names.
We take a look at the drivers who are filling the void in terms of star quality and the chances of Ricciardo returning next year, as well as what he’s getting up to in his year off.
We also look at his successor as both McLaren driver and F1’s resident Aussie-on-the-grid in Oscar Piastri, who has made a good start to his grand prix career in limited McLaren machinery.
The chances of Red Bull being seriously challenged in Sunday’s race at Albert Park are also evaluated, along with the progress Ferrari and Mercedes are making in closing the gap.
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