Daniel Ricciardo is determined to drive his RB team forward, seeking significant improvements to their 2024 car ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. Despite a challenging start at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Ricciardo remains confident in the car’s untapped potential and is set to be the catalyst for progress before his home race.
Between the lines
- Ricciardo acknowledges the RB team’s car, VCARB 01, has yet to reach its full potential after a tough outing in Jeddah.
- Despite setbacks, Ricciardo’s confidence remains unshaken, and he’s pushing for car enhancements before the Australian GP.
- RB’s strong finish in 2023 had set high expectations, but the team is currently caught in a performance plateau.
- The Australian driver is ready to “kick some ass” in Melbourne, signaling his intent to start his season with a strong performance.
Go deeper
Daniel Ricciardo, the ever-optimistic Aussie, is not letting a rocky start to the 2024 F1 season dampen his spirits. With his home race on the horizon, Ricciardo is all about rolling up his sleeves and diving into the nitty-gritty with his RB team. The VCARB 01 has shown glimmers of brilliance, but it’s like a puzzle with a few pieces still missing. Ricciardo is eager to find those pieces, even if it means burning the midnight oil at the team’s garage.
In Saudi Arabia, the car’s performance was more like a rollercoaster than a sleek, speed-hungry machine. Ricciardo admits that some of it was on him – a few tenths left on the table during qualifying. But when you’re flat out and everyone else is zooming by, it’s a clear sign that the car’s hitting its limits. The team did uncover some issues, but with parc ferme rules, it’s not like you can play car mechanic and make big changes on the fly.
Looking ahead, Ricciardo is set on being the team’s motivator, the spark plug if you will. He’s seen what the car can do and knows that with a bit of tweaking, they can be the ones making the others eat their dust. The RB team finished last season on a high note, and expectations were sky-high for bridging the gap to the top teams. However, reality has been a bit more stubborn, and now it’s all about regrouping and coming back with a vengeance in Melbourne.
Ricciardo’s philosophy is simple: don’t let the tough times get you down. He’s seen the issues firsthand and believes that once those are ironed out, the car will be a force to be reckoned with. The start of the season may not have been a fairy tale, but Ricciardo is not one to back down from a challenge. With his home crowd cheering him on, he’s ready to turn the page and write a new chapter, one where he’s the hero on the podium.
In essence, Ricciardo’s message is clear: Melbourne, watch out! The RB team and their Aussie driver are coming, and they’re not coming quietly. They’re on a mission to show the world the true potential of the VCARB 01, and they’re just getting started.
