RB Failing to Get Ricciardo to Click: Whole Team at Fault
RB Formula 1 team principal Laurent Mekies has acknowledged the team’s collective responsibility for failing to make Daniel Ricciardo’s final stint a success. Ricciardo was brought back to Red Bull last summer as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez, but his time with the team did not go as planned.
Struggling to Find Consistency
Despite having a full off-season to prepare for the 2024 season, Ricciardo struggled to find consistent performance in the VCARB 01. While he showed glimpses of his old self with a fourth-place finish in Miami, he was often outperformed by his teammate Yuki Tsunoda. As a result, Ricciardo no longer fit the criteria for a potential return to Red Bull, and the team ultimately decided to replace him with reserve driver Liam Lawson after the Singapore Grand Prix.
Team’s Reflection and Responsibility
Reflecting on Ricciardo’s performance, Mekies admitted that the team failed to provide him with a car that allowed him to build momentum. While Ricciardo showed flashes of speed in races like Miami and Canada, the team struggled to keep him consistently competitive. Mekies emphasized that both the team and the drivers must be fast in every race, not just on occasion.
Benefitting from Setbacks
Interestingly, Ricciardo’s difficulties ended up benefiting his replacement Lawson and Tsunoda. The team used Ricciardo’s data to explore a wider range of set-up options, leading to valuable insights that helped the team and its drivers. Ricciardo’s experience also proved beneficial in the team’s development work and technical reorganization throughout the season.
Humanizing Touch: A Personal Story
As a lifelong Formula 1 fan, I have always admired the passion and dedication of drivers like Daniel Ricciardo. Seeing him struggle to find his footing at Red Bull was a reminder of how challenging this sport can be, even for seasoned professionals. Ricciardo’s journey serves as a valuable lesson in resilience and the importance of teamwork in achieving success on the racetrack. His positive attitude and commitment to improvement are qualities that all aspiring racers can learn from, regardless of the challenges they may face.
In conclusion, the story of Daniel Ricciardo’s time at Red Bull highlights the complexities of Formula 1 and the critical role that teamwork plays in a driver’s success. While his stint with the team may not have gone as planned, Ricciardo’s contributions will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on Red Bull’s future endeavors in the world of motorsport.
