Daniel Ricciardo embarks on a new chapter with the revamped RB team in 2024. Despite a promising pre-season test for the newly rebranded squad, Ricciardo has tempered expectations for the RB Formula 1 team’s prospects this year. With a revised name and a revamped management structure, RB is expected to thrive this season through its strengthened alliance with Champions Red Bull. The Faenza-based camp has made use of Red Bull’s rear suspension, resulting in consistent points scoring and an eighth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship.
Ricciardo, who took over from Nyck de Vries last year, initially claimed that RB could aim for top five results right from the start of the season. The team showed strong pace during the three-day pre-season test in Bahrain, with Ricciardo closely matching McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc on the second day. However, Ricciardo believes that RB has yet to break away from the midfield group and acknowledges that there is still work to be done to achieve the team’s goals in 2024.
“We need to exercise caution at the beginning of the season,” Ricciardo cautioned. “Our target as the season progresses is to be at the front of the midfield. But for now, we are more in the midfield. I’m not sure if we’re at the front yet. That is certainly our goal. I know some people are excited about our prospects this season, but I prefer to approach it with caution. We have a decent car, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The data we gathered during testing suggests that there are still improvements to be made.”
Ricciardo also believes that the expectation that the VCARB 01 would be a replica of the dominant Red Bull RB19 from 2023 has led to unrealistic assumptions about RB’s performance. “From an external perspective, I think people got carried away,” he admitted. “Many fans were excited and thought we would be a modified version of a previous car [Red Bull’s RB19]. But that’s not the case. We are trying to make the most of what we have.”
The former McLaren driver also stated that Red Bull’s progress will be less noticeable compared to other teams as they focused on refining their previous car until the final race.
“I believe we have definitely made improvements to the car from last year. It’s difficult because we introduced updates in Abu Dhabi, so we are comparing it to a car with recent upgrades,” he explained.
“If we had compared it to the car before the Abu Dhabi race, it would have appeared as a bigger step forward, but it’s more of an evolution.
“There have been some minor improvements here and there, but I still think we need to find more in order to consistently achieve Q3 and top 10 finishes.”
When asked about his satisfaction with Red Bull’s progress after the Bahrain testing, Ricciardo responded, “I’m somewhere in the middle. But that’s just my approach to testing.
“Even if you see Sainz topping the time sheets today, there are so many variables. Is it the fuel? Is it the engine? What time of the day? You never really know.
“I think regardless of where we stand in terms of lap times, I prefer to stay cautious.
“I’m aware that we probably won’t be on pole position next week. However, I like to believe that we are still in the midfield battle.
“Starting the season with a Q3 appearance and scoring points on Sundays would be a good way to kick off the year.
“Whether we achieve that next week remains to be seen.
“But I think that’s the starting point, and as the season progresses and we gain more knowledge about the car and work together with our new team members, we can aim higher.”