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Daniel Ricciardo admits to enjoying “not so much result-driven” racing, as his “excitement” builds for the Chinese Grand Prix
It is safe to say that Daniel Ricciardo hasn’t had the start he was hoping for in 2024. The Australian driver has not scored any points, while his teammate has secured all of RB’s seven points this season. Ricciardo was once the favourite to steal Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull next year, but with the Aussie out of contract, where could he end up in 2025?
The eight-time race winner would happily remain with Visa Cash App RB next year. When asked by Speed Cafe if he would be happy to remain with his current team, Ricciardo responded:
“As I feel today, yes. I’m enjoying the driving now; it’s not so much result-driven. Obviously, I don’t want to just be here to be here; I want to earn that seat and the team is hopefully further up. So yeah, I guess it goes both ways. I mean, the answer is yes. But is it more fun fighting at the front? Is it more fun fighting for podiums and wins? Absolutely.”
He continued, “And the truth is, if I draw a line under it and I speak about myself in the third person: Why did Daniel Ricciardo return after a few months off last year? Because I believe I can stand on the podium again. I can win races again.”
The Australian driver went on to indicate that while he remains confident that he could win races, he will happily remain in Formula One.
Can we expect redemption for Ricciardo in China?
As the pressure continues to build on Ricciardo, and the critics pile in, can the Aussie turn his 2024 season around? The RB driver receives his heavily publicised new chassis for the Chinese Grand Prix, so all eyes will be on him this weekend. Luckily for Ricciardo, Shanghai has proved a happy hunting ground for him in the past.
Quite a show, @DanielRicciardo ?#ChineseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/mljDzwADOK
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 15, 2018
Talking to various media outlets, including RacingNews365, ahead of the race weekend, Ricciardo appeared optimistic about his chances in China. He said:
“It’s a track that I’m certainly looking forward to getting back to. I’ve got definitely good memories even the last time we were there in Renault. That was where I felt my Renault campaign kind of started to turn around.”
He continued, “I struggled the first few weekends with them and then Shanghai I think we qualified seventh and had a points race. So, it’s been a good track for me. So that gives me some excitement going back.”
What could Ricciardo achieve in China?
Feature Image Credit: @visacashapprb on X