RB Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has commended the team for their composed approach in dealing with the fallout from the team order controversy at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Yuki Tsunoda was left unhappy when he was asked to let Ricciardo pass him in order to challenge Kevin Magnussen’s Haas for 12th place. Despite initial resistance, Tsunoda eventually allowed his teammate to overtake. Both drivers had differing opinions on the matter, with Ricciardo stating that it had been discussed before the race, while Tsunoda sought clarification. Ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Ricciardo revealed that the team had addressed the incident privately and resolved the issue. They had a discussion to clear the air and ensure that such situations are handled appropriately in the future.
During the cooldown lap, Tsunoda expressed his frustration by aggressively overtaking Ricciardo and making contact with him. Ricciardo admitted that he was taken aback by Tsunoda’s actions and had to control his own response to avoid making public comments. He acknowledged that the team handled the situation well after the race by bringing both drivers together to address any lingering issues and ensure that everything was resolved.
“It was an experience where we departed that room with a sense that all divisions and emotions had dissipated, and any feelings of being treated unfairly or harboring animosity were nonexistent.
“In light of this, none of these sentiments can be entertained. The team, in my opinion, handled the situation with great care afterwards. It is crucial to remember that this is only the first race, and allowing any of these issues to persist would not benefit the team moving forward. Therefore, it was imperative for us to address and resolve the matter promptly.
“I am at a stage in my career where I do not require someone to console me and express remorse for the incident. Instead, I adopt a broader perspective. This team is relatively new in certain aspects, and considering the extensive length of the season, it is clear that nurturing these minor rivalries from the very beginning will not be advantageous. Hence, it was vital for us to confront the issue maturely and clear the air.
“The discussion was conducted in a calm manner, without any raised voices or confrontations. We approached it like adults, seeking resolution.”
In addition to a rebranded identity, the team based in Faenza also welcomed a new Team Principal, Laurent Mekies, who took over from the retiring Franz Tost.
RB has also recruited former Alpine Sporting Director Alan Permane, and Ricciardo was impressed by the way the new management handled an internal matter.
“To be honest, I was curious to see how they would handle it because race car drivers can be quite stubborn,” he acknowledged. “Yes, we have our moments where we might think, ‘Ah, forget it, I’ll just walk away and let them deal with it.’
“But the fact that we were brought into a room and had a calm and composed discussion about it, without any blame being assigned, was really important. It was about addressing the issue so that when we left that room, we felt reassured and ready to move forward without any lingering effects from this incident. That was a positive outcome.
“Obviously, I knew there would be questions about it. But honestly, since Saturday night, we haven’t discussed it any further.”
When asked about how Mekies handled the complexity of the situation, Ricciardo responded, “He handled it very well. I think the start of this new chapter has been really positive.
“I appreciate the way he communicates with us, fostering open dialogue and making everyone feel included in the team. He is receptive to constructive criticism and doesn’t waste time with unnecessary fluff. Even I tend to ramble on sometimes, and he’s like, ‘mate, get to the point.’ He encourages me to speak my mind without sugarcoating it. So, I appreciate his directness.”