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Daniel Ricciardo is leveraging his “past experience” to help steer RB in the right direction and avoid unnecessary pitfalls for Red Bull’s sister team.
Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB F1 team competes during F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec on June 9, 2024. (Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images)The eight-time race winner had a challenging start to the 2024 F1 season, grappling with the car’s original chassis. However, things started to look up after he received a new chassis for the Chinese Grand Prix.
While Ricciardo’s performance has improved since the chassis change, he only managed to score his first Grand Prix points last weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Despite this, Ricciardo’s results have been inconsistent. However, he has demonstrated that he still possesses exceptional speed. His current goal is to show this strong pace more consistently.
Reflecting on his season, Ricciardo said, according to racingnews365.com, “I think when I got the new chassis in China and the weekend was looking better, and then Miami started well, I said, ‘Alright, yeah, this could be it.’ But now I’ve had a couple of not-so-good races.
“So, I think what’s good is that I still have the ability to do some pretty cool things, pretty special or whatever. But it’s about making sure that is me, unconditionally. Not just when I’m feeling good or when the conditions are right.
“I believe moving forward, I can be more consistent because I’ve done it before.”
A rollercoaster of emotions for Ricciardo
Ricciardo’s season has seen some notable achievements, including an eighth-place finish at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and a fourth-place finish in the recent Miami sprint. His one-lap solid pace, qualifying fourth for the Miami sprint and fifth in Canada, further highlights his potential.
Ricciardo attributes his rocky start to the season to the original chassis but is determined not to dwell on it. Instead, he is focused on maximizing his potential and ensuring the team uses its energy effectively.
“I still believe there is something, but honestly, whether I believe it or not, it’s clear that with this new chassis, I’ve had some great performances and some not so great,” Ricciardo said.
“So, I need to make sure I’m looking at myself first and looking in the mirror. I need to make sure I’m getting the most out of myself and being 100% before I start questioning other things. I never want the team to go down rabbit holes.
“There’s already enough to problem solve over a weekend with setup and other things. So, making sure that I’m not just sending them on a path that wastes everyone’s energy.”
Feature Image Credit: Rudy Carezzevoli via Getty Images