The Red Bull driver, Daniel Ricciardo, denied that his struggles in the 2024 Formula 1 season are similar to his time with McLaren, despite acknowledging that the results are comparable. Ricciardo was hoping to make a strong case to return to Red Bull, but his less experienced teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, has been outperforming him. Tsunoda has scored points in five of the first eight races, helping RB secure sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship, while Ricciardo is 14 points behind. Ricciardo, who qualified 12th in Monaco while Tsunoda secured eighth place, believes that his inability to advance to Q3 is the main reason for this difference. However, he remains optimistic that he has the pace and is determined to unlock it consistently. He expressed frustration with himself for not being a consistent Q3 contender week after week.
Ricciardo’s struggles have led to speculation that he could lose his seat, with Liam Lawson, who replaced him in five races last season, being mentioned as a possible replacement. RB CEO Peter Bayer expressed satisfaction with the current lineup, but Ricciardo is not overly concerned about his future. He wants to focus on improving his performance consistently, rather than fixating on what is to come. He acknowledges that there will always be factors contributing to performance differences, but he is not satisfied with the current situation. Ricciardo appreciates the team’s support and believes in his abilities, but his main priority is to do better, whether through improvements in the car or in his own performance.
