Simply two races into the 2024 F1 season, stress is already mounting on Daniel Ricciardo, with Purple Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko urging the Aussie to considerably enhance his efficiency.
Ricciardo’s struggles within the rebranded RB F1 automotive have develop into a rising concern. After a disappointing thirteenth place end in Bahrain, his efficiency in Saudi Arabia proved much more irritating, with a lowly sixteenth place end.
On each events he was outqualified and outraced by his teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
Final summer season, as Purple Bull Racing’s reserve driver, Ricciardo was entrusted with Nyck de Vries’ seat at AlphaTauri following the Dutchman’s disappointing outcomes.
Sadly, a crash in FP2 in Zandvoort resulted in a damaged wrist that sidelined the Aussie for 5 races, however a powerful displaying in Mexico impressed Purple Bull to retain the 34-year-old in its sister RB outfit.
Forward of this season, Ricciardo mentioned that he was concentrating on a full-time return to Purple Bull Racing, as soon as once more as Max Verstappen’s teammate.
However to date, the Aussie has proven little purpose for Purple Bull to fit him again right into a plum seat with the staff. Worse, ought to his performances not enhance with RB, his place with the Faenza squad may additionally be in jeopardy, particularly with the proficient Liam Lawson – his spectacular super-sub final season – ready within the wings.
Marko, identified for his blunt assessments, penned a column for German web site Speedweek the place he clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with Ricciardo’s begin to the 2024 season.
His struggles are notably regarding when in comparison with Tsunoda’s early promise, placing stress on the skilled driver to search out his kind shortly.
“There’s loads at stake this season for each Yuki and Daniel,” Marko mentioned.
“Yuki’s qualifying was excellent, and Ricciardo has to give you one thing quickly…
“At the least Tsunoda is superb in qualifying. Then they’re within the factors within the first stint, solely to fall additional behind afterwards…
“Whether or not they’re placing an excessive amount of pressure on the tyres or there are different causes is what it’s essential discover out.”
After concluding his evening on the races in Jeddah within the decrease tier of the sphere, Ricciardo attributed his underperformance to a problem residing underneath the hood of his VCARB 01 that was recognized after qualifying however couldn’t be modified for race day attributable to F1’s Parc Fermé laws.
He believed this defined most of his struggles in Jeddah, though he accepted {that a} spin at Flip 1 on the finish of the race was his personal mistake.
Nonetheless, he felt there was trigger for optimism forward of his house race subsequent week in Melbourne.
“The rationale I’m staying optimistic is as a result of I do know that we had some issues incorrect,” he defined.
“With an excellent automotive and every little thing sorted, I do know we will do loads higher. So painful three days, however I don’t need it to take any confidence out of us.”
Nonetheless, Marko is slowly however certainly turning the warmth on Ricciardo, and the eight-time Grand Prix winner might want to discover his footing shortly and take his sport to the following degree if he hopes to stay a candidate sooner or later for the second seat at Purple Bull Racing.
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