TOKYO, JAPAN – APRIL 03: Daniel Ricciardo from Australia and Visa Cash App RB watches from the stage as part of the Honda 60th Anniversary Celebration during the previews of the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix at Roppongi Hills on April 03, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
McLaren’s decision to part ways with Ricciardo at the end of 2022 has caused many to lose faith in him. Johnny Herbert, for example, stated that Ricciardo’s last chance has now disappeared. Even Helmut Marko, Red Bull advisor responsible for driver matters in the Formula 1 World Championship, is perplexed by the fact that 23-year-old Yuki Tsunoda is outperforming the 34-year-old Ricciardo. Rumors suggest that Ricciardo has a few Grand Prix weekends to prove that he deserves his place more than highly regarded Liam Lawson, who is waiting for his chance.
Despite the increasing pressure, Ricciardo remains in denial and is determined to prove his critics wrong. In Japan, he told reporters: “It’s interesting because, on paper, things haven’t been going well – and I’m aware that the results haven’t been what I desired. However, personally, my confidence and happiness remain unchanged. Now it’s a matter of achieving a result and dispelling certain doubts. Personally, I feel very good, which is why it’s been a bit strange to understand why the results haven’t materialized yet.”
Ricciardo insists he doesn’t need to make any changes and that success will come. He believes it’s just a matter of adjusting a few things and that a great achievement is just one weekend away. He reflects on his disappointment in Melbourne, where he didn’t score any points, but emphasizes that there were positive aspects in the race. He acknowledges the need to pull everything together and is determined to do so. Ricciardo expresses his optimism, saying: “It’s always refreshing to spend a few days at home before coming here. Although I can’t predict what will happen this weekend, I really believe I can achieve a good result.”
It should have been a simple task for Ricciardo to surpass a driver of Tsunoda’s caliber. Ricciardo blatantly coveted Sergio Perez’s spot and a meeting with Max Verstappen as his teammate. This desire comes after six years of anonymity in Formula 1, since his departure from Red Bull Racing in search of the financial rewards offered by Renault. In stark contrast, Verstappen has won 48 Grand Prix races and secured three world titles. The comparison is clear – there is no competition. (Report by Agnes Carlier)
