"With Ricciardo we definitely would've finished second in the constructors'"

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing advisor Dr Helmut Marko thinks his team would have finished the 2019 season in second place if the departed Daniel Ricciardo was still part of the team, with the Bulls finishing third behind Mercedes and Ferrari.

The gap between them and second place was 87 points, with Max Verstappen scoring the absolute majority of the points. The Dutchman accounted for 278 of the 417 points, exactly two-thirds, and scored all nine podiums (including three wins) for the team. Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon, who shared the second RB15 throughout 2019, combined for 139 points.

Ricciardo was in the second Red Bull until the end of 2018, when the Aussie had announced he'd be leaving the team to try his luck at Renault. Ricciardo had a good rivalry with Verstappen, with the two seeming well-matched although Verstappen seemed to be on top in their final season together.

Speaking to Motorsport-Magazin, Marko is convinced Red Bull would have performed better in 2019 with the seven-time Grand Prix winner.

"With Daniel in the team, we would've definitely finished second in the constructors' [championship]," the 76-year-old said.

"It was a big shock for the team when he chose to go to Renault. Daniel was one of the quickest drivers on the track: very consistent during races and a fantastic overtaker."

Gasly lasted 12 races in the seat left behind by Ricciardo. The Frenchman was demoted and replaced by Alex Albon, who drove the final nine races and has a contract for the 2020 season.