Daniel Ricciardo admits he has “got to get my season going” before he can contemplate potentially rejoining Red Bull’s senior team.
The eight-times grand prix winner rejoined Formula 1 with Red Bull’s second team RB last year, when it was called AlphaTauri. He has been open about his desire to return to the senior team.However Ricciardo has made an underwhelming start to 2024. He is yet to score his first point after the first four races, recording a best finish of 12th in Melbourne and crashing out of the last round in Japan. His younger team mate Yuki Tsunoda has taken back-to-back top tens in Melbourne and Suzuka.
But Ricciardo said it feels like a matter of time before his season comes together.
“I’m in year 14 of this and you say ‘I’m learning every time’,” he told the official F1 channel. “And I’m like, ‘well, I’m not a rookie,’ but it’s true. It’s kind of the sad truth – you’re always learning.
“I say it’s the ‘sad’ truth, but that’s also what makes the sport exciting, that you’re constantly trying to find something all the time and you can find something. So kind of that endless opportunity is exciting.
“Did I want to be learning this much coming into race five? Not really. But it’s still coming from a good place.
“It’s not coming from a place of ‘we’re really struggling and we’re really in a deep, dark hole and it’s going to be hard to get out of it’ – not at all. In Japan, at least, the [Sunday] was a short one but it was, I think, definitely encouraging. So just got to get it done now. But do I fear anything or do I feel that I cannot? Absolutely not. I am supremely happy, well-rounded and confident.”
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Ricciardo said his focus is on kickstarting his campaign with RB, rather than thinking about possibly moving up to Red Bull’s senior team.
“Even talking now about going up, let’s say I don’t even want to talk about it, because obviously I’ve got to get my season going even before talking or thinking about that,” he explained. “So it’s certainly not at the forefront of my mind right now.
“Obviously you’ve always got to prove yourself right, so I’ve got to prove myself here again and get that ball rolling. But I think being here in the [Red Bull] family, they know what I’m capable of and I think that’s obviously really encouraging. So yes, we want to turn this thing around, but there is not some immense pressure that like, ‘you’ve got to show us you have the ability to do it’ because they know I do. But obviously now it’s just doing it, making it happen.”
Ricciardo has a strong history at this weekend’s venue, the Shanghai International Circuit, having won the Chinese Grand Prix in 2018. He says that gives him confidence heading into the first sprint round of the championship.
“Obviously 2018’s a stand out, but I remember 2016; a front row and led for a few laps and we got a puncture or whatever – it was a crazy race,” he said. “That was a good one.
“And then the last time we were here in 2019, it was kind of the race that kickstarted everything with my Renault campaign. We struggled the first few races and then came here and kind of found something and that was really positive, I think, from that race onwards for us. So I’d love to replicate that five years later.
“Obviously on paper, we’re not probably in a good place, but we’re not far off. It’s not like we’re really struggling or missing something in particular. I know it’s a little bit here and there, but, definitely hasn’t taken any confidence away from me. Obviously I’ve not driven yet this weekend, but standing here very confident that I can get the job done.”
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2024 Chinese Grand Prix
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- Ricciardo needs to show “head-turning form” for 2025 chance – Horner
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Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
18th April 2024, 9:47
Ricciardo must “get my season going” before thinking of drive home.
Mayrton
19th April 2024, 7:16
This. Out of touch with reality. RedBull is no longer in the cards. The stake is having a seat at all after coming summer.
SteveP
18th April 2024, 10:29
There is nothing sad about that. For anyone, in any walk of life, if you aren’t learning, then you might as well be dead.
Every day is an opportunity to learn something new.
If you don’t think you have anything you have or need to learn, then teach someone what you know, and along the way you’ll probably learn something.
ferrox glideh (@ferrox-glideh)
18th April 2024, 23:23
I like the cut of your jib.
tielemst
18th April 2024, 12:40
Maybe the problem was that he was already thinking about that next step. RBR are already looking elsewhere. Dutch press is reporting that Marko has had talks with Sainz, but that he has a better offer from Audi that Red Bull doesn’t want to match. If the results don’t improve they might reconsider.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
18th April 2024, 13:20
I found that comment weird by marko, as in: let’s say audi give sainz 20 millions a year, and red bull 15: if I were sainz I’d take red bull, car performance is much more important than money, surely when you’re a good f1 driver, which means you should be able to stay in f1 for decades and make hundreds of mill no matter what.
MichaelN
18th April 2024, 13:24
Agreed, the Red Bull is by far the better option. It’s not like the Sainz family is going to notice one or two million more.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
18th April 2024, 14:23
Agreed. No one ever would chose a potential future good Audi in a few years over a great Red Bull right now.
Honda
18th April 2024, 14:27
I do not think Ricciardo is bad at all like others are criticizing him though he has passed his prime and is not the top5 drivers anymore. Having said that he has impressive record in China. I just checked in 2016, front row finished P4. 2017 he was P5 in qualifying but lost to Max by less than sec who started at P19. In 2018 he won here and in 2019 in Renault he qualified and finished P7, best of the rest. So I think Ricciardo has a great chance here. Since on one raced here for 5yrs probably makes it even as well.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
18th April 2024, 14:53
One would hope so. It would be good for Daniel to get at least a decent result here, to take away some of the pressure on him. I am not sure he’s ever going to be seen in a Red Bull again but it would be something to keep his current drive based on his season so far. Bearing in mind Marko has it in for him.
Janith
19th April 2024, 6:15
Horner. If not for Horner, RIC would be fired already
Andy (@andyfromsandy)
18th April 2024, 15:58
Two for two I think he thinks he was going to marmalise his team mate and he has been thoroughly shown up. Well he did try it on with Norris and got his just rewards.
At this point it is all hot air from a very experienced driver who looks to be finished.
ferrox glideh (@ferrox-glideh)
18th April 2024, 23:25
Marmitize?
osnola
18th April 2024, 20:46
His smile seems to shrink every weekend. So still some weekends to go.
Janith
19th April 2024, 6:14
He was never a contender for a Red Bull seat based on his performances in the last 3-4 years. But he has a good PR team.