Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda resolved their differences after a heated incident at the Bahrain Grand Prix, as the Formula 1 circus heads to Saudi Arabia for the next race.
The conflict arose when Tsunoda was instructed to let Ricciardo, who had an advantage with his tires, overtake him.
The situation escalated during the cool-down lap, when Tsunoda aggressively overtook Ricciardo, leading the Australian to call him an “idiot.”
However, the teammates had discussions to clarify the incident, and Ricciardo expressed that these conversations left the team in a stronger position.
Ricciardo emphasized the importance of addressing both team orders and aggressive maneuvers on track, stating: “It was crucial for us to discuss this, but also the cool-down lap, just to make it clear that, even if it’s in the heat of the moment, these things can have significant consequences.
“So we had a conversation, personally, in private, with open doors, very honestly. We came out on Saturday night feeling like it’s resolved.”
Ricciardo highlighted his restraint during the incident to prevent the situation from escalating.
This event marked the first major conflict between Ricciardo and Tsunoda since Ricciardo joined the team.
Despite this, Ricciardo praised Tsunoda for his willingness to openly discuss the matter.
Reflecting on his maturity and the importance of team unity in a competitive season, Ricciardo believes that the resolution greatly benefited the team.
“What happened at the end of the race, yes, was not ideal, but actually, two hours later, how we came out of that meeting, I think it put the team in a better place than it was even on Saturday morning,” said Ricciardo.
Tsunoda also shared his perspective, acknowledging his frustration with the team orders, but understanding the team’s decision.
He admitted to being irritated during the race, but confirmed his commitment to team unity and a better approach to similar situations in the future.
“We discussed this after the race with the team. We are still united and are on the same page now.
“We understand each other,” said Tsunoda, adding his willingness to follow the team orders moving forward.
This resolution highlights the professionalism and maturity within the team, ensuring that internal dynamics do not hinder their performance as they face the challenges of the Formula 1 season.
