After “the frustration” of Bahrain and Jeddah, Daniel Ricciardo “remains optimistic” for the future

In 2023, the paddock of the Formula 1 rejoiced at the return of Daniel Ricciardo after a year away from the circuits following the termination of his contract by McLaren. From his first race in Hungary at the wheel of the Alpha Tauri, the eight-time Grand Prix winner put everyone in agreement by signing a brilliant 13th place in qualifying, far ahead of his teammate Yuki tsunoda to 9 tenths. Even more impressive, the Australian capitalized on the very good performance of his AT04 in Mexico to place in his car in the second line alongside Verstappen and in front of Pérez, with whom he is (or was?) in competition for a seat at Red Bull on the horizon 2025.

With a balanced balance of power in qualifying, as in the race, of five everywhere (counting the shoutouts and the sprints), “Danny Ric” proved that his place was indeed in Formula 1 and not elsewhere, to the detriment of a Nyck de Vries. In the off-season, the Perth native even declared feeling “capable of winning again” in Formula 1. Since then, the more “average” than expected performance of its Visa Cash App RB, despite high expectations, certainly cooled it down a bit. Above all, the main concerned showed a level below expectations during the first two Grand Prix.

Difficult start for Daniel Ricciardo

In Bahrain, for the start of his fourteenth season in the premier category, Daniel Ricciardo started in a surprising way by setting the best time in Free Practice 1. The next day, his Japanese teammate with three seasons in the legs finally got the better of him in ahead of him by three places on the grid. In the race, the 34-year-old finished, this time, in front, after Yuki Tsunoda let him pass following a team instruction which created a climate of tension internally.

Last weekend, the shower was not cold in Jeddah, but icy, for the driver with 32 career podiums. 5 tenths behind the Japanese in qualifying, Daniel Ricciardo was simply out of the running, like on Saturday. Left behind for a good part of the race, lacking pace, causing a spin… nothing went as planned for him.

“It was a tough race and overall a tough weekend, which is very frustrating. [...] With a few laps to go, I made a mistake and went too high on the curb in turn 1, which caused a spin. he comments.

Bad form or decline?

So much so that at the end of the second Grand Prix of the year, his performances worried some followers, seeing in him now an outdated driver, fit for retirement (again). Others, more fans, only hope that it is just a bad start to the season.

“I remain optimistic because I know we have positive signs and we just need to refine our package. We have a week off now, and everyone is going to make a big effort to do things right and make sure we have a good package for the next race. I know the team wants it as much as I do.", hope the one who says “excited to return to Melbourne” for his national Grand Prix.

There, the Australian will hope to reverse the situation, by signing a performance worthy of the talent he has shown throughout his career. So poor form or the beginning of the end? Only Daniel Ricciardo will be able to decide the answer.

ALSO READ > The fabulous story of Oliver Bearman in Jeddah

Kelman Marti