Horner makes phone call revelation in fixing relationship

Christian Horner has admitted he simply 'picked up the phone' to Daniel Ricciardo after the former Red Bull man left McLaren.

The Australian driver had been with Horner's team for five years before departing, first for Renault and then later for a two-year stint with McLaren.

He took only one victory after his departure and lost all confidence en route to being dropped in favour of fellow countryman Oscar Piastri at the end of 2022.

Now he’s rebuilding his confidence with VCARB as he hopes for a Red Bull return in 2025 and beyond alongside former team-mate Max Verstappen.

READ MORE: Hamilton reveals thoughts on Horner investigation

Horner: I felt disappointed about him

Speaking in season six of Formula 1’s Drive to Survive series, Horner discussed where he believes that Ricciardo’s career went downhill.

“Seven grand prix victories. Over 20 podiums. All achieved in Red Bull Racing cars,” he said. “Then he left. I felt disappointed about him walking away from the team.

“He went to Renault. That didn’t work at all for him. And then moved to McLaren and that was disastrous. All sport is a confidence business.

“You could just see the confidence sapped out of him. I don’t believe that the Daniel we’ve seen over the last couple of years is the real Daniel. It’s not the Daniel I can recognise from his time at Red Bull. As soon as McLaren let him go, I picked up the phone to him and we just had a chat.”

With Sergio Perez’s Red Bull contract set to expire this year, Ricciardo could be an excellent experienced option for them to take up if they want to guarantee a driver that will move the team forwards.

He will want to compete for an elusive first world championship, while the Austrian outfit want to add more to their dynasty in the future.

READ MORE: Horner Red Bull investigation official VERDICT announced

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