- Aussie Daniel Ricciardo criticized by F1 fans on social media
- Follows his comments about Red Bull boss Christian Horner
- Ricciardo labeled a ‘misogynist’ and a ‘smiling cash cow’
Australian star Daniel Ricciardo has been criticized by F1 fans after his first public response to the ‘sex texts’ scandal involving Red Bull boss and close friend Christian Horner, which has rocked the sport.
The Perth-born driver, 34, called the saga ‘noise and distraction’ – and it wasn’t long before an avalanche of criticism followed on social media.
“He has the audacity to act like this whole ordeal is ‘noise.’ Is a seat more important than your integrity? I have no respect for you,” one fan said angrily.
Another wrote: ‘Okay, I’m done – Daniel, you’re delusional if you think you’re sitting in that seat and not Liam Lawson for any reason other than PR. Red Bull will never put you in that seat again. You’re just their smiling cash cow.’
Australian star Daniel Ricciardo has been criticized by F1 fans after his first public response to the Red Bull ‘sex texts’ scandal that has rocked the sport
Ricciardo called the story surrounding Red Bull boss Christian Horner (pictured) ‘noise and distraction’ – and it wasn’t long before an avalanche of criticism followed on social media
Another felt Ricciardo was ‘delusional’ and nothing more than a ‘smiling cash cow for Red Bull’
A third called Ricciardo a ‘misogynist’, while a fourth said his take on Horner’s saga unmasks the F1 cult hero’s ‘true identity’.
His comments were made in an interview ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo first told TV channels that he hopes the situation will “slowly disappear.”
Asked whether these ‘dirty things’ could destabilize F1 teams, he replied: ‘You always want things to be smoother than they are.
“There’s a lot of noise and distraction right now, there’s no doubt about that,” the Visa CashApp RB driver said.
“So yeah, hopefully these things start to fade away, and they can just focus on being a race team.”
Ricciardo entered Formula 1 through the Red Bull development system, where he made his name in the sport before moving to Renault ahead of the 2019 season.
The Aussie remains in contention for a replacement Sergio Perez at Red Bull in 2025.
His loyalty to Horner comes after the Red Bull boss was cleared by an internal investigation of ‘coercive behavior towards a female colleague’ ahead of the 2024 season premiere in Bahrain.
Before the first race of the season in Bahrain, Ricciardo said he felt sorry for Horner.
“Obviously we were aware of everything that was going on,” he told reporters.
“But would I say it was a distraction on the track? No, I wouldn’t do that.
‘Knowing that we also have so little time, it was really a case of ‘I have to concentrate on me, my team and my driving style.’
‘Do I feel sorry for him through all this? Yes, I have known Christian for a long time.
“He’s always been great to me. So I hope that there will be a fair outcome and solution soon.’
