Friday was not the best of days for Daniel Ricciardo because the 2024 Formulation 1 Austrian Grand Prix acquired underway.
However regardless of the early struggles, one among F1’s principal sights is staying upbeat.
Ricciardo posted the Sixteenth-fastest time within the single apply of the week, and couldn’t enhance on that place in Friday’s F1 Dash Qualifying session. The Visa Money App RB F1 Group driver completed Sixteenth, resulting in his elimination in SQ1.
Maybe including to the frustration? The truth that Ricciardo missed out on a spot in SQ2 by lower than three-hundredths of a second, to teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
However in his post-session feedback, Ricciardo remained optimistic.
“It’s a brief lap right here, so it’s at all times going to be difficult. We modified quite a bit from FP1, and we’re nonetheless attempting to study in regards to the package deal, however clearly, it’s irritating whenever you miss out by a small bit,” mentioned the driving force in VCARB’s post-session media report. “The second lap of the Dash-Quali was undoubtedly higher than the primary one, however we nonetheless must finetune some issues. I do assume we made the best modifications, however perhaps we have to steadiness it higher. We’ll attempt to use the Dash to know the automotive at all times extra, so I’m staying optimistic.”
Ricciardo’s optimism comes as there may be elevated hypothesis about his place with the group, not only for the 2025 season however maybe the remainder of this season. Pink Bull Senior Advisor Dr. Helmut Marko kicked that hypothesis off forward of the Austrian Grand Prix earlier this week, noting that there’s maybe some stress from shareholders to present a youthful driver — Liam Lawson — a seat at VCARB.
That hypothesis kicked into overdrive when famous F1 journalist Joe Saward surmised on social media that Lawson may very well be in that seat as early as this summer time.
With the standard caveats that each rumor concerning driver motion in F1 must be given context and brought with a wholesome grain of salt or two, Ricciardo admitted throughout Thursday’s media day that he wants to enhance his efficiency.
“I mentioned I actually do get pleasure from being again within the [Red Bull] household,” mentioned Ricciardo to the assembled media on Thursday. “I weirdly do get pleasure from generally a little bit little bit of the pokes from Helmut as a result of I believe it additionally may very well be a technique to get me a little bit bit fired up and attempt to get the most effective out of me.”
Nonetheless, Ricciardo was clear about what he must do to safe his future.
“It’s the on-track stuff so I’ve clearly acquired a very good alternative, I say till the summer time break,” continued Ricciardo. “I don’t assume that’s a deadline however clearly that’s what you have a look at for the primary half of the season. So I attempt to do what I can and clearly assist my trigger.”
Friday additionally noticed the second FIA Press Convention forward of the Austrian Grand Prix, with VCARB CEO Peter Bayer addressing Ricciardo’s efficiency thus far, in addition to the rumors concerning Lawson.
“Nicely, [Ricciardo] actually has helped us tremendously. Wanting again final yr when he joined the group, he introduced an entire new power and spirit into the group. And he has been extraordinarily useful in supporting Yuki. Yuki has simply acknowledged that very not too long ago, truly, that he nonetheless retains studying from Daniel,” started Bayer. “And it’s a part of our job, additionally as a mission from the shareholders, to develop drivers. And that’s what we presently do. However actually, as Christian mentioned, that is about efficiency.
“We do fortunately have a few choices with the junior [program], however we’re additionally not in a rush to take a choice for subsequent yr’s line-up. We’ve confirmed Yuki, which was essential for us. And the main focus presently, truthfully, as you’ll be able to inform, is on the automotive and to enter the summer time break and have a quiet dialogue.”
Bayer — in addition to Pink Bull Group Principal Christian Horner — was pressed on the driving force lineup by the sensible Luke Smith of The Athletic. For Horner, he outlined how any choices can be first addressed in-house, however did supply that like the whole lot in F1, the lineup at VCARB is “fluid.”
“I believe something concerning drivers goes to be handled in-house earlier than we discuss to the media about it. They’re all, as I say, Pink Bull racing drivers and each Pink Bull driver is aware of that there’s at all times a stress, that there’s at all times a scrutiny,” described Horner. “However, , Daniel is within the seat and it’s all the way down to him to take advantage of that. After which, it’s at all times, as we see in Formulation 1, issues are at all times fluid.”
As for Bayer, he echoed Horner’s ideas.
“Maybe simply so as to add on what Christian completely summarised, Liam is a part of the group, he’s our take a look at driver, he’s within the simulator,” added Bayer. “As most of , he’ll be within the [Testing of Previous Car session]. We do our job to develop younger drivers, however the determination on the second seat can be taken quietly and we’re not in a rush.”
VCARB and Pink Bull won’t be in a rush to solidify their lineup for 2025 — and decide on Ricciardo’s future — however the driver stays below mounting stress to enhance his kind.
