The performance of Daniel Ricciardo in the current F1 season has been extremely disappointing. Despite his return to F1 with VCARB (AlphaTauri), the Australian driver has consistently been outperformed in all competitive sessions in the first four stages of the season.
According to a former F1 driver, Daniel Ricciardo’s mental strength is not the same as it was during his time at Red Bull. This Belgian driver believes that Ricciardo is lacking the self-confidence he used to have when he was regularly winning races.
Ricciardo has struggled to perform well in Formula 1 since 2021. The former driver explained that, to succeed in this sport, a driver must always give their best. If they are affected by doubts, physical problems, or any other factors, they will not perform at their best. Ricciardo’s mistakes and lack of speed indicate that his mindset is not as strong as when he was winning races.
Losing self-confidence and mental strength can make it difficult for a driver to regain their pace. Ricciardo is determined to bounce back in the next race in China, despite speculations about his future in F1.
In the early years of his career, Daniel Ricciardo was highly regarded as one of the most talented F1 drivers. He was incredibly fast during his time at Red Bull and Renault, but his performance declined when he joined McLaren.
Bouston, the former driver, recognized Ricciardo’s talent despite his struggles since 2021. He believes that Ricciardo still has the ability to make impressive moves and achieve great results, but he is not able to fully exploit the potential of his VCARB 01.
Even now, with a good car at his disposal, Ricciardo cannot show his talent and create memorable moments on the track. This is a disappointing situation for him, as he has already proven his skills in the past, but is currently being hindered by other factors.
Bouston expressed his sadness at Ricciardo’s decline in recent years. These words of support may provide some comfort to Ricciardo amidst the criticisms he has faced for his poor performances. The 2024 season is crucial for him, as it may define his career as a driver.
