Former world champion Jones: 'Ricciardo will never drive F1 again'

The last Formula One world champion from Australia is Alan Jones. In an interview with The Daily Mail, he made fierce statements about his compatriot Daniel Ricciardo. He believes the 33-year-old driver is far too preoccupied with external things outside motorsport.

Jones says Ricciardo will never race in F1 again because he spends far too much time off the grid. Ricciardo is Red Bull Racing's reserve driver. Last year, his paths parted with McLaren, where compatriot Oscar Piastri came to replace him.

Replacement Piastri casts high hopes

"'I don't think he will get a drive at Red Bull unless something happens to the two current drivers, I can't see him doing a Grand Prix," Jones said. All drivers would benefit from leaving the sport in the best possible way. " it's just unfortunate that for whatever reason, and I don't even think he knows himself, why his performance dropped off." said the 76-year-old Australian.

Jones does see a good replacement for Ricciardo in the McLaren car. "I think he can go on to be world champion," Jones said. "Every now and again someone comes along that has got an enormous amount of talent and I reckon he is one of those sorts of people."