Daniel Ricciardo has been open about his main motivation for racing in Formula 1’s midfield: to impress Red Bull and earn a spot back on the team. Last year, Ricciardo showed promise on Red Bull’s simulator and was chosen to replace struggling rookie Nyck de Vries. However, his part-season in 2023 was marred by a crash at Zandvoort that caused him to miss five races. Now, in 2024, Ricciardo is determined to prove himself and become Max Verstappen’s teammate once again. Unfortunately, the season hasn’t started well for him.
Yuki Tsunoda, who is not considered a serious contender for a Red Bull seat, has outperformed Ricciardo in the first two weekends of the season. Tsunoda has beaten Ricciardo in qualifying, and although Ricciardo finished ahead of Tsunoda in Bahrain, it was only because of a team order. In Jeddah, Ricciardo had a slow pitstop and couldn’t make progress in the race. To make matters worse, he spun out of Turn 1 right in front of Sergio Perez, the driver he hopes to replace at Red Bull.
Ricciardo has different interpretations of what has gone wrong in the first two weekends. He takes responsibility for his performance in Bahrain, admitting that he left time on the table in qualifying. However, in Jeddah, he believes there are limitations with the car that have been holding him back. He feels that the car is not functioning at 100% and that there are some flaws that need to be addressed. Despite finding some issues, he knows they can’t be fixed in a short amount of time.
Ricciardo’s spin at the end of the race was a result of taking too much kerb, possibly due to frustration. He acknowledges that he made a mistake and doesn’t make any excuses for it. The struggles he is facing with the car and his teammate’s performance draw comparisons to his time at McLaren, where Lando Norris outperformed him. However, Ricciardo believes that he and Tsunoda have been evenly matched so far.
It’s still too early to draw conclusions, especially considering the unique nature of the Jeddah track and the performance of other drivers. Ricciardo’s bid for a Red Bull return is not in crisis, but he can’t afford to continue this run of poor form. The driver market is volatile, and Red Bull has a history of making quick decisions. Helmut Marko, Red Bull advisor, has already urged Ricciardo to find more speed and pointed out the impressive debuts of other drivers.
Despite the pressure and instability at Red Bull, Ricciardo remains focused on his mission. He knows he needs to show Red Bull that he is a stable and dependable performer. The next race in Melbourne is crucial for him, and he is determined to push the team and deliver a strong performance. Ricciardo understands the importance of this season and is ready to kick some ass and prove himself to Red Bull. The success he achieves in the early part of the season will determine his future with the team.