Daniel Ricciardo, an Australian driver, had the chance to continue his Formula 1 career with Red Bull’s sister team last season. This opportunity was expected to be the first step in his journey back to the seat he left in 2018. However, Ricciardo’s return has not been smooth, and he has struggled to regain the reputation he once had as one of the most sought-after drivers in the market. Despite an impressive performance in Mexico last year, Ricciardo has been overshadowed by his less experienced teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, who has scored all seven points for the team this season.
In the early stages of his F1 career, Tsunoda was better known for his heated radio messages than his performance on the track. However, he has learned from his mistakes and is now reaping the rewards of a calmer approach behind the wheel. Despite rumors linking him to Aston Martin and Honda in 2026, Tsunoda has expressed his ultimate ambition to be promoted to the Red Bull main team. However, it seems that he is not Red Bull’s first choice, with consultant Helmut Marko comparing Tsunoda’s performance to Max Verstappen’s 10th place in Suzuka.
Instead, it is widely believed that Ricciardo represents the biggest threat to Sergio Perez, Red Bull’s current driver. Since impressing during a test at Silverstone last summer, Ricciardo has made it clear that his goal is to return to Red Bull Racing.
In a format reminiscent of tabloid journalism, Australian race driver Daniel Ricciardo’s hopes for a successful comeback were dashed. Despite a full preseason of preparation, Ricciardo has struggled to keep up with the pace of his teammate Tsunoda. Even returning to his home circuit did not provide the boost he needed, as a mistake in qualifying resulted in his elimination from the first session. Meanwhile, Tsunoda showcased the speed of his VCARB 01 car, overtaking both Aston Martin drivers to secure a seventh-place finish. Ricciardo’s own prospects were hampered by a disappointing 18th place starting position, with his lap times falling short of Tsunoda’s. While there were no major issues with the balance of his car, Ricciardo acknowledged that he lacked the same cornering speed as his teammate. He attributed his difficulties to the need for more downforce and rear grip.
“But honestly, I’ve had some struggles with the high-speed sections in Melbourne and Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, we noticed a slight performance drop, so we had a partial explanation for that. However, the same issue persisted in Melbourne, especially in Turns 9 and 10, where I was falling behind Yuki.”
These remarks seem reminiscent of his troubled time at McLaren, where he suffered a crushing defeat to Lando Norris and was eventually released from his contract after just two seasons of the expected long-term partnership.
However, Ricciardo dismissed any comparison between his current struggles with the rebranded RB team and his disastrous time at McLaren, which tarnished his reputation.
“Furthermore, this is not a McLaren situation. It is crucial for me to continue working closely with my engineers and not be influenced by external suggestions or advice,” he added.
“Undoubtedly, I would have preferred better results in the first three races. I am understandably dissatisfied with the outcome. However, it is imperative that we remain focused and not deviate from our intended path.”
While he has tried to dispel any suspicions that history is repeating itself from his unhappy period at McLaren, the fact that Ricciardo felt the need to address this raises questions about whether lingering doubts from that period still haunt his mind and even affect his overall performance in races.
This is evident in his request for a chassis change to address any potential flaws in his car before the Chinese Grand Prix. It is a decision influenced by memories of his debut season with McLaren.
However, Ricciardo is determined not to fall into the same patterns that hindered him during his time with the Woking-based team. He has explored various solutions in an attempt to salvage the relationship, but has ultimately hit dead ends that have hindered his driving abilities.
In the current situation, Ricciardo is sticking to his principles and it is evident that he is in a better mental state than in 2022, when he seemed vulnerable and lacking proper ideas.
Ricciardo has expressed that he is ignoring external distractions associated with his disappointing performances and has not reached the same critical point that marked the end of his time at McLaren and required a complete reset to return to Red Bull.
Tsunoda is not at the same level as Norris, but Ricciardo has not been subjected to the same defeats he experienced when competing against the British driver at McLaren. The difference between Red Bull teammates is usually small, but due to the competitive nature of the midfield pack, this has sometimes resulted in a difference of several positions during this season.
Ricciardo reduced the gap to 0.055s in Suzuka, when he almost advanced to Q3, but he is being held to the high standards that are in line with his intentions at Red Bull.
However, time is running out for him to recover. The opportunity for a dream return to Red Bull in 2025 is diminishing, as it seems that Perez is destined to secure an extension.
Perez is no longer focused on trying to replicate Verstappen’s exceptional performances every weekend and being crushed in a futile attempt to match his record standards. Instead, Perez is focused on maximizing his own potential.
There were no major claims before the start of the season that he would challenge Verstappen for the championship, and he has stopped experimenting with setups to chase a performance deficit. Instead, he is focused on building from a more manageable initial baseline each race weekend.
The improvement has been evident, with Perez enjoying his most consistent start to a season since joining Red Bull in 2021, securing three second places in four races. The Mexican driver stated in Japan that he expects his future to be resolved within the next month, and it seems to be only a matter of time before he is confirmed as Verstappen’s teammate for 2025.
However, Ricciardo’s main concern should be to maintain his position as an F1 driver. Both Ricciardo and Tsunoda entered the 2024 season under increased pressure, knowing that Liam Lawson is waiting in the wings to potentially take their places.
Lawson replaced Ricciardo during his absence from the Dutch and Qatar Grand Prix last season and achieved the team’s best result at the time. He finished ninth in a challenging 62-lap race in Singapore, after qualifying for Q3. Despite his frustration at not securing a full-time seat, rumors persist that Lawson has a permanent spot guaranteed for the next season.
Tsunoda’s impressive performance makes him indispensable to the team, but RB would be wise to allow Ricciardo to move on, considering the praise the 34-year-old driver has received from senior management. RB CEO Peter Bayer openly acknowledged the positive impact Ricciardo had on the team’s operations during race weekends. While Tsunoda is developing as a potential team leader, there is no substitute for the experience that comes from being part of a championship-winning organization.
Although the Austrian team acknowledges Ricciardo’s contributions, his on-track performance has not consistently translated into fast lap times. The drop in Ricciardo’s performance can be traced back to 2021, when he joined McLaren. Despite a disappointing debut season with the British team, he managed to secure a victory at Monza, surpassing his teammate Norris.
The return to ground effect cars in 2022 was seen as an opportunity for Ricciardo to regain his form. However, the difference between him and his teammate increased, with Ricciardo being outperformed in qualifying 20 times compared to his teammate’s two. This significant drop in performance raised doubts about whether Ricciardo’s driving style is compatible with the less agile and heavier ground effect cars currently in use.
Ricciardo’s initial task will be to dispel this narrative and demonstrate that he is capable of performing well in the less pressured midfield environment at RB. Despite the changes at RB and closer technical connections with the parent group, the main goal of the sister team remains to develop drivers for Red Bull. Ricciardo is not content to stay in the midfield; he wants to return to a car that can win races. However, to prove that he deserves these opportunities, he must show that he can compete with Tsunoda, who has shown improvement but not exceptional performance. It should be noted that Tsunoda is beatable, as rookie Lawson has shown. Ricciardo, an established driver with eight race wins, has been considered a driver capable of winning championships.
With three drivers in the Red Bull team performing well and both teams leading their respective championships, the Austrian team is in a favorable position. However, if they prioritize Ricciardo over Lawson for the long 24-race calendar, they may regret it, unless Ricciardo improves. Ricciardo stated that his collision with Alex Albon in Japan was an isolated incident, but this has increased the pressure on him and prevented him from gaining valuable experience in a race. Ricciardo tried to ease the pressure by reminding everyone that there are still 20 rounds left. However, deep down, he knows that F1 is a ruthless business and Red Bull exemplifies this more than any other team. As F1 returns to China, the place where Ricciardo had one of his greatest moments, he knows he needs to start performing well or his chance for redemption in F1 may be diminished without a fairytale ending.
© 2024
A new record was set yesterday in the world of sports. Brazilian athlete João Silva won the gold medal in the swimming competition held in Tokyo. With a spectacular performance, Silva broke the previous world record, leaving his competitors behind. The 22-year-old athlete showed his determination and talent, making Brazil proud.
The competition was fierce, with athletes from all over the world competing for the gold. But it was João Silva who stood out, showcasing his skill and endurance in the water. With an impressive time of 1 minute and 30 seconds, he surpassed the previous record by 2 seconds. Spectators were impressed by his speed and impeccable technique.
Silva started swimming at the age of 8 and has since dedicated himself intensely to the sport. He trains daily, following a strict routine of exercises and healthy eating. His hard work and dedication have finally been rewarded with the gold medal.
The athlete does not hide his happiness and gratitude for this achievement. In an interview after the competition, he thanked his family and coaches for their support and encouragement over the years. Silva also expressed his gratitude to the fans and the Brazilian people for their unconditional support.
With this victory, João Silva becomes an example of overcoming and success for young athletes across the country. His determination and talent are inspiring and show that, with hard work and dedication, it is possible to achieve great accomplishments.
Now, Silva is preparing for the next challenges. He will continue training and competing in search of new victories. The next important competition will be the World Swimming Championship, which will take place next year. The athlete is determined to win more medals and represent Brazil in the best possible way.
Brazil is proud of João Silva and his achievements in the world of swimming. He is a true champion and an example for all young Brazilian athletes. The country eagerly awaits his next victories and cheers for his continued success. Congratulations, João Silva, for this incredible achievement!
