Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing driver, is hopeful that the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix will give a much-needed boost to his Formula 1 season, just like it did when he was with Renault in 2019. Ricciardo has been under pressure to perform after a tough start to the 2024 season, with his teammate Yuki Tsunoda outshining him in the first four races. Nevertheless, the Australian remains positive about his chances of turning things around, especially considering his past success at this circuit. In addition to his victory with Red Bull in 2018, Ricciardo also has fond memories of his first points finish with Renault in Shanghai. While still waiting for his first points in the current season, the former McLaren driver is full of renewed enthusiasm and hopes for a successful weekend.
Reflecting on his previous races at the Chinese Grand Prix, Ricciardo mentioned a standout performance in 2018 and a memorable race in 2016, where he started from the front row and led for a few laps before suffering a puncture. He acknowledged that there are many other races worth mentioning, but he wanted to highlight the positive experiences. Looking back at the 2019 race in Shanghai, Ricciardo sees it as a turning point for his campaign with Renault. After facing difficulties in the early races, he found something during that race that propelled him forward. It gave him a confidence boost and set the tone for the rest of the season. Despite the current challenges, Ricciardo remains optimistic and believes he can get the job done.
Ricciardo closed the gap between him and Tsunoda to just 0.055 seconds in Suzuka, but his race chances were thwarted due to a collision with Alex Albon on the first lap.
However, Ricciardo firmly believes that his current difficulties are not a continuation of the challenges he faced at McLaren, as he seeks standout performance.
When asked if he feels it’s just a matter of time until things click on track this season, the eight-time F1 race winner replied: “Yes, it is.
“It’s interesting because I’ve been in this for about 14 years, I believe, and you would think I’ve learned everything by now, but that’s not the case.
“Even though I’m not a rookie, I’m still learning. And while it can be a bit discouraging, it’s also what makes the sport exciting, the fact that you’re constantly looking for something new and can really find it. So that infinite opportunity is quite exciting.
“Did I expect to be learning this much by the fifth race? Not really, but it still comes from a positive place.
“It’s not like we’re struggling immensely and we’re in a deep, dark pit that’s hard to get out of. Not at all.
“Japan was a short race, especially on Saturday, but it was definitely encouraging.
“So now, I just need to do it. But do I fear anything or feel incapable? Absolutely not. I’m extremely satisfied, well-prepared, and confident.”
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Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen secured an exciting victory at the Monaco Grand Prix last Sunday. Verstappen, from the Red Bull Racing team, led from start to finish and crossed the finish line in first place, leaving Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in second.
The race in Monaco is known to be one of the most challenging on the Formula 1 calendar, due to its narrow streets and twisty circuit. Verstappen showed skill and determination in facing these tough conditions and securing his win.
The Dutch driver, only 26 years old, once again showed why he is considered one of the most promising talents in Formula 1. With his victory in Monaco, Verstappen now leads the world championship for drivers, with a comfortable advantage over his competitors.
The Red Bull Racing team is also pleased with Verstappen’s performance. Christian Horner, team principal, praised the driver and said that the victory in Monaco is a fantastic result for the team. Horner also highlighted the importance of the team’s strategy and teamwork for Verstappen’s success.
The next Formula 1 race will be held at the Istanbul International Circuit in Turkey. Verstappen is confident and determined to maintain his good performance and extend his lead in the championship. Fans are eager to see what the young Dutch driver will achieve in the next stage of the season.
