MIAMI, FLORIDA – May 4: Daniel Ricciardo, from Australia, from the Visa Cash App RB team, who finished fourth, and Yuki Tsunoda, from Japan, also from the Visa Cash App RB team, who finished eighth, pose for a photo with their teams to celebrate their performance after the Sprint before the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Miami at the Miami International Autodrome on May 4, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)
The VCARB driver, who started the season hoping to return to the championship-winning Red Bull team next year, but has struggled to stand out, started and finished fourth in the sprint race. Ricciardo’s iconic smile was once again on display after earning five points.
However, there was no reason to celebrate during qualifying, as Ricciardo failed to advance to the next round. There was more bad news for the Australian driver, who will start from the back on Sunday due to a three-place grid penalty accumulated from China.
Although it was a disappointing end to a promising day, finishing fourth in the sprint race, even in a 100 km race without pit stops, was Ricciardo’s best result in any format since 2021, when he was with McLaren.
Ricciardo told Sky Sports: “Every significant result always feels necessary. It’s a joyful feeling, it’s an empowering feeling. Moreover, replicating the qualifying performance in the sprint race was obviously great, but maintaining it throughout the sprint race is even more satisfying. So, I feel really good, and it’s also nice to silence some people.”
Ricciardo stated that defending his position on every lap, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in fifth, felt like an achievement. He also credited a chassis change during the previous race in China for restoring some confidence in the car.
The Australian driver insisted: “Immediately, honestly, I felt something. I felt like I had more feeling, a little more confidence in what the car would provide me. It’s not that I was far off, but something was missing.
“Compared to Yuki [Tsunoda] earlier in the year, I could feel that I couldn’t do what he was capable of doing in many of the corners. I knew there was something there, so I think there really was something with the chassis.”
Ricciardo mentioned that a floor upgrade for Miami also improved performance at high speed. Tsunoda finished eighth and secured the last point of the sprint race.
After the sprint race on Saturday, in qualifying it was business as usual at VCARB, with Ricciardo stuck in Q1 and Tsunoda, three tenths of a second faster in SQ1 than his teammate, the Japanese driver doing enough to start in tenth place on the grid for today’s third Miami Grand Prix.
Ricciardo’s well-intentioned return to the Red Bull team has yet to fulfill any promises, as the once feared and respected Formula 1 driver has fallen into a form crisis, where the only consistent aspect is being outperformed by Tsunoda when it matters.
Dan’s aspiration to be Verstappen’s teammate again, his intention from the start, is far from being realized, let alone considered, as his performance fluctuates between highs and lows, all closely observed by VCARB reserve driver Liam Lawson. (Reporting by Steve Keating; Additional reporting GP247)
© 2024
Sports fans are looking forward to the next football season. With teams preparing and players training hard, expectations are high. Fans are eager for news and updates about their favorite teams. And that’s why we are here to bring all the exclusive information about the world of football.
In this season, there are many changes happening in the teams. New players are being signed, while others are leaving their clubs. Coaches are implementing new strategies and tactics to lead their teams to victory. And we will be closely following all these movements.
In addition to the changes in the teams, there will also be great games happening. Old rivalries will be reignited, and new rivalries will emerge. The players will be on the field giving their best to achieve victory. And we will be there to bring all the details of these exciting matches.
Don’t waste time and stay up to date with all the news from the world of football. Follow our daily updates so you don’t miss any important plays. We are here to keep you informed and entertained with the best news and analysis of the world’s most beloved sport.
So get ready, because the football season is about to begin. And here in our sports tabloid, you will find everything you need to know to make the most of this exciting journey. Stay tuned and don’t miss any details. The fun is just beginning!
