The Italy-based team, previously known as Scuderia Toro Rosso under Red Bull’s ownership in 2005, then AlphaTauri and formerly Minardi, will begin the season in Bahrain next week with new management, closer ties to champions Red Bull, and a brand new identity.
During the first day of Bahrain F1 Testing last Wednesday, Ricciardo achieved the fourth fastest time, followed by the fifth fastest time on Thursday. Some speculate that VCARB could potentially surprise as dark horses, but the Australian driver downplayed these expectations.
“We believe we can surpass eighth place,” he stated during a break in filming for the team’s Austrian Vodka sponsor NEFT, dressed in a black tie and tuxedo. “If people are anticipating a situation similar to Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso from last year, where we are fighting for a podium right from the first race, we are clearly not at that level yet.”
“I have an idea of who is fast and who might be struggling, but… it’s not that I’m afraid to comment on it, the truth is that I’m still relatively uncertain. Even if some teams are within a few tenths of each other, those few tenths can translate to five positions on the starting grid. It can change rapidly,” explained Ricciardo, who previously raced for Red Bull from 2014 to 2018.
Regarding the lengthy F1 team name, Ricciardo told Reuters after Bahrain F1 Testing, “I understand that commentators might find it too long, but the truth is that they are supporting us in going racing, so I am more than happy to use the full name.
“I know people will likely shorten it, and I’ve already heard RB and other variations. I will say, ‘Do as you please,’ but you will hear me say ‘Visa Cash App RB.’
“I know for certain that people are referring to it as VCARB (the chassis name being VCARB01), but that sounds like a competitor to Red Bull’s energy drink. It doesn’t sound quite right,” explained the experienced Australian driver.
The team’s name is a topic of discussion due to the lack of a clear identity without the title sponsors, and also because it is expected that the team will receive more mentions than last year when they finished in eighth place overall.
Ricciardo is openly expressing his desire to return to Red Bull if fellow veteran Sergio Perez departs at the end of the season, and he praised the senior team’s new RB20 car for leaving a strong impression.
In the realm of testing, Ferrari emerged as the quickest, but Red Bull remained the team to surpass, showcasing a captivating evolution of last year’s triumphant racer, which claimed victory in 21 out of 22 races.
Recalling his time with his previous team, Ricciardo expressed, “They were leading the pack a decade ago, only to witness Mercedes embark on an astounding winning streak. It seems like they are determined to make an emphatic statement, to prevent being overtaken once again, or to maintain their dominant position for as long as possible.”
He further added, “I understand that fans may desire to witness a different victor, but from a competitive standpoint, one cannot help but admire their relentless approach in designing their latest creation.”
After departing from McLaren at the conclusion of 2022, Ricciardo returned to a race seat with AlphaTauri for seven races last year, partnering with Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda.
Amidst the driver ‘F1 Silly Season’ shuffle, with numerous drivers facing contract expiration at the year’s end, Ricciardo welcomed the attention shifting towards others following Lewis Hamilton’s surprising move from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025.
Ricciardo shared his thoughts, stating, “I was simply content observing from the sidelines without direct involvement. My focus is solely on performing my duties here and hopefully, it will lead to significant achievements. Looking a year ahead seems surreal, as I am well aware of how rapidly the sport can transform. From being out of the game one year to being back in the following year.”
He concluded by revealing, “Taking each race as it comes helps me remain present and, ultimately, allows me to maintain my passion for the sport.” These statements were made by Ricciardo, who is preparing for his 14th season in F1. (Reported by Alan Baldwin)