Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo will receive a brand-new Formula 1 chassis at the Chinese Grand Prix following concerns about his performance in the 2024 season. Ricciardo has struggled to keep up with his teammate Yuki Tsunoda in the first three races and was eliminated in Q1 at his home race. After expressing his confusion about his pace in Melbourne, Ricciardo discussed the possibility of a chassis change. In the past, teams have addressed underperforming drivers by conducting similar exercises. RB Racing Director Alan Permane confirmed that a new chassis is being prepared for Ricciardo in Shanghai, although he assured that his current VCARB 01 chassis has no defects. Permane emphasized that the chassis is primarily a structural component that supports the suspension, engine, and gearbox, making it unlikely to be a source of performance issues. However, to address any concerns, a new chassis will be given to Ricciardo, considering Tsunoda’s satisfaction with his current setup. Permane clarified that the decision to introduce a new chassis is coincidental and not solely based on Ricciardo’s worries. He explained that the chassis is not a significant factor in performance and should not be frequently changed. The availability of a new chassis aligns well with the situation, making it logical to give it to Ricciardo. However, it should be noted that the new chassis is not being introduced solely because of Ricciardo’s issues but rather because it fits well with the team’s plans.
Permane has clarified that Red Bull Racing (RB) is taking a cautious approach when it comes to making changes to Ricciardo’s car setup. The aim is to avoid a situation similar to what he experienced at McLaren, where he found himself stuck in a dead-end.
“It’s a challenging situation because these issues can be addressed through adjustments in the setup,” stated the former Alpine Sporting Director.
“However, we must be careful not to compromise the car’s speed. We have been very cautious in ensuring that any changes we make do not result in a more comfortable but slower car.
“In an ideal scenario, we would eliminate these issues, restore his confidence, and gradually work towards achieving maximum performance.
“There’s no reason why Daniel can’t drive the car in its current state, which is its fastest form. That’s clear.
“I’m confident that he understands this, and our focus should be on providing him with the fastest car possible.”
In the meantime, RB has introduced an updated floor for this weekend’s race. Tsunoda tested it during the first practice session, and it has now been installed on Ricciardo’s car for the second practice hour.
Ricciardo, who sat out the first practice session to allow Ayumu Iwasa to use the previous floor specification, mentioned before the weekend that the new floor wouldn’t bring a significant improvement.
“The new floor features strakes at the front, a new wing along the side, and a small detail around the rear tire,” he explained. “It provides a slight increase in downforce.
“We’re not entirely confident that it will perform exceptionally well here at Suzuka, as it primarily focuses on lower-speed performance, and this track has a higher-speed nature. We’re curious to see how it will perform.
“We would appreciate a bit more performance in high-speed situations, which is why we have some upcoming upgrades planned for the next few races to address that area.”