(L to R): Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) RB and Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) RB. 21.02.2024. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
Daniel Ricciardo chose not to make a big fuss about the disagreement that occurred with his RB teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Formula 1. He is taking a long-term perspective on the matter.
During the final stages of the season opener, both RB cars were out of the points when Ricciardo closed in on Tsunoda, who was behind Kevin Magnussen.
Given that Tsunoda was on hard tires and Ricciardo on soft compounds, RB instructed Tsunoda to let his teammate pass, much to his dissatisfaction.
Tsunoda complied with the request, but after seeing Ricciardo fail to overtake the Haas, he expressed his frustration by swerving towards the other RB car on the cool-down lap.
Although Ricciardo mentioned that such a situation had been discussed before the race, Tsunoda stated that the order caught him off guard and he wanted to talk about it.
However, Ricciardo believes that Tsunoda will realize his mistake once things calm down. He explained that he wants to avoid this incident setting the tone for the rest of the season.
“Look, it’s just the first race of 24. Yes, there was some conflict today, but I don’t want that to define our relationship,” Ricciardo stated.
“I think we should talk about it in the team meeting now, honestly, and hopefully, once he calms down, he can recognize that he should have moved earlier.”
When asked about his interaction with Tsunoda, Ricciardo replied: “No, not yet. I’ll give him some time to cool off. We’re familiar with his behavior; he tends to get very… that’s just how Yuki is. But I believe that once we’re back in the room, he’ll be completely fine.”
“As for me, I’m fine. I’m thinking long term, of course. This is a long season, so we need to be able to work together. I’m not going to address the situation in anger.
“We just need to be honest and realistic that it should have happened when they called.”
RB was expected to be a contender for scoring points in Bahrain after strengthening their technical ties with Red Bull and performing well in pre-season testing.
However, despite Tsunoda qualifying in 11th place and initially being in the points, the Faenza-based team ended up behind the top 10 teams.
Ricciardo emphasized that he is not “worried” about RB’s competitiveness and believes the team will get stronger as the 24-race calendar progresses.
“It’s a very long season, and Saudi Arabia is a high-speed track with completely different tarmac, so we won’t have the same tire degradation as we had here,” he added. “So whether that’s advantageous for us or not, we’ll see. It can also change from track to track.
“But we were aware during the winter that we could have a slow start to the season.
“We believe that as the season progresses, we will make improvements to the car, hopefully more than other teams.
“I’m not worried; it would be great to start the season scoring points, but I hope we are on an upward trajectory.”
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Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo surprised fans recently by announcing his retirement from the fields. At 39 years old, Ronaldo decided to end his brilliant career, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy.
The Portuguese player, known for his exceptional skill and impressive goal-scoring record, has won numerous titles throughout his career. He was one of the most successful players of his generation, having won the Ballon d’Or five times and helped his team achieve several important victories.
Ronaldo was also an inspiring leader on and off the field. He used his platform to support various social and philanthropic causes, becoming a role model for many young athletes.
Despite his retirement, Ronaldo has made it clear that he does not intend to completely step away from the world of football. He has expressed interest in getting involved in training and development projects for young players, sharing his experience and knowledge with the next generation.
Ronaldo’s fans are saddened by the news of his retirement, but they are also grateful for all the exciting moments he has provided over the years. His departure will leave a void in the world of football, but his legacy will continue to live on through his achievements and lasting impact.
