Aug.5 (GMM) RB CEO Peter Bayer insists Daniel Ricciardo nonetheless matches into the “massive image” on the Faenza based mostly ‘junior’ group.
F1 group marketing consultant Dr Helmut Marko has been hinting for months now that, at 35, the Australian driver now not matches the profile.
“The shareholders have made it identified that it’s a junior group and we’ve to behave accordingly,” Marko mentioned lately.
Ricciardo, nonetheless, insisted simply earlier than the beginning of the August break that he truly doesn’t see RB as Purple Bull’s ‘junior group’.
“I believe that of their (Purple Bull’s) intentions and the way in which they go about it has made individuals form of rise up and say ‘Alright, this isn’t a junior group anymore’,” Ricciardo mentioned at Spa.
Many anticipated group homeowners Purple Bull to determine at a key post-Belgian GP assembly early final week to oust Ricciardo and change him with rookie Liam Lawson.
However Ricciardo survived that assembly, and can hold his seat for now at the very least till the tip of the season.
Bayer admits he can see Marko’s perspective. “Helmut argues that from his place in a logical method,” mentioned the RB group CEO, who like Ricciardo is Australian.
“He (Marko) is answerable for the junior group and subsequently it’s logical that he all the time has an essential say with regards to the drivers,” Bayer instructed motorsport-total.com. “He has the authority and the data and he’s very centered with reference to juniors.”
Nevertheless, Bayer added: “I see a broader image for the group. Within the long-term, it’s not so dangerous for Yuki (Tsunoda) to have an skilled teammate. It’s the well-known massive image difficulty.
“Sure, we’ve to develop younger drivers. However you’ll be able to in fact additionally clarify it in the way in which that Yuki shouldn’t be fairly prepared but. He learns loads from Daniel with regards to technical suggestions.
“He has additionally discovered loads from Daniel by way of controlling his feelings,” Bayer defined. “He learns easy methods to construction and plan a weekend. So, briefly, he’s studying. We’re nonetheless sharpening the tough diamond that’s Yuki with Daniel’s assist.
“That’s the reason Daniel’s place within the group is justified.”
Bayer additionally says that after a harder begin to the 2024 season for Ricciardo, he’s now placing in additional constant performances. “That’s level two,” Bayer continued.
“We additionally need to do nicely as a group. That’s what the shareholders mentioned after final yr – that it can’t be the case that we’ve two groups and one turns into champion and the opposite one is final.”
