The Australian driver moved up to the Milton Keynes team in 2014, replacing Mark Webber and partnering with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.

However, Vettel left for Ferrari at the end of that season, and Ricciardo became Red Bull’s number one driver just as the team’s dominance in Formula 1 came to an abrupt end.

According to F1 Oversteer, Red Bull had enjoyed a period of supremacy from 2010 to 2013, winning four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ titles with Vettel.

The introduction of the 1.6L V6 turbo-hybrid engine in 2014, however, saw Mercedes rise to the top of the sport, leaving Red Bull unable to compete for championships.

Mr Horner said: "Maybe Daniel had arrived at Red Bull at the wrong moment.

"The poor guy had jumped into the car during 2014 expecting to challenge for championships and then watched as Mercedes streaked away from us, winning 16 races during our worst season in four years.

"But if anyone at Red Bull had the personality to overcome adversity, it was Daniel.

"He brimmed with enthusiasm, had a great sense of humour, and his connection with the team, our fans and the media was strengthened by a smile that endeared him to everybody he met.

"Daniel was also a fantastic driver, and the perfect replacement for Sebastian’s number-one seat.

"Indeed, in 2014 Confartigianato Motori named him Driver of the Year for his three stunning wins in Canada, Belgium and Hungary."

Daniel Ricciardo (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

Ricciardo made his F1 debut with HRT in 2011 before spending two seasons with Toro Rosso.

He was promoted to Red Bull for the 2014 season, where he immediately impressed by taking three Grand Prix victories.

Had he joined the team a year earlier, Ricciardo would have been part of Vettel’s dominant 2013 campaign, which included 13 wins and 16 podiums from 19 races.

Instead, he inherited the lead driver role just as Red Bull fell behind Mercedes, largely due to Renault’s struggles with the new hybrid power units.

Despite a strong start in 2014, Ricciardo failed to win a race in 2015 and finished eighth in the drivers’ standings, behind teammate Daniil Kvyat.

A tough start to 2016 led Red Bull to replace Kvyat with Max Verstappen, who quickly established himself as the team’s new star and eventually their next world champion.

Mr Horner said: "I had first watched him in Formula 1 when he destroyed the opposition in the freezing cold at Silverstone.

"By the time he’d joined Red Bull, our mechanics and engineers were raving about his potential."