SHANGHAI, CHINA – APRIL 19: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Visa Cash App RB prepares in the garage before the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix practice sessions at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 19, 2024 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)
During a lackluster phase in his career, the beloved Formula 1 Australian driver expressed to PA news agency in China: “Everyone in the team is dismissing that notion. The reality is that I have a contract. However, I need to prove myself.
“I don’t want these results to persist for a year and rely solely on papers. I won’t be satisfied with that. At the end of the day, if I’m being outperformed, I don’t deserve to be here.
“I aspire to return to a level where I know I can excel, and I have confidence in my ability to get there. I understand that I need to achieve the desired results. However, I’m not a rookie trying to prove myself or establish my presence. I have a track record in this sport. I have evidence that I can win.
“But if we get to December and I can’t demonstrate that, maybe I’ll think, ‘well, I’m done with this’ or ‘I’m not good enough’. However, deep down, I don’t feel that way,” Ricciardo stated.
The truth about Dan’s performance is that he never reached the same level he achieved at Red Bull. The Woking team tried everything to bring back the ‘old’ Dan, but their efforts were in vain, and they ended up paying the Australian to leave and make room for a rookie.
This situation is familiar to 34-year-old Ricciardo: “I experienced this at McLaren, and I allowed the noise to influence me, which led to a loss of confidence. I would question myself: ‘Damn, maybe I’ve lost my ability? Maybe I can’t do this anymore?’
“But now I find myself in a different mindset because I feel rejuvenated. That’s why it’s frustrating, because it doesn’t make sense to me. If I do well here and in Miami, suddenly everything is forgotten. I don’t let it consume me, but deep down, I know I need to improve.”
While Ricciardo’s results are concerning, the same cannot be said of his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who has consistently outperformed the veteran driver. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez has found success with a car at Red Bull that suits his preferences.
However, Ricciardo still holds onto the dream of returning to the Red Bull “senior” team that he left in search of financial gain: “Is it still a goal? Of course. But in my current position, I don’t want to discuss it because I know I need to do better.
“I’m also aware that if I start talking about it, the responses will be like ‘dude, focus on where you are’, and that’s the truth. And look, anything can happen in F1? Yes. But my prediction is that Max will stay,” added Ricciardo, hinting at whether Verstappen will choose to move from Red Bull to Mercedes.
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