Friday was not the best of days for Daniel Ricciardo because the 2024 Formulation 1 Austrian Grand Prix received underway.
However regardless of the early struggles, one among F1’s important sights is staying upbeat.
Ricciardo posted the Sixteenth-fastest time within the single follow of the week, and couldn’t enhance on that place in Friday’s F1 Dash Qualifying session. The Visa Money App RB F1 Workforce 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 constructive.
“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 be taught in regards to the package deal, however clearly, it’s irritating whenever you miss out by a small bit,” mentioned the motive 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 suppose we made the best adjustments, however perhaps we have to steadiness it higher. We’ll attempt to use the Dash to know the automobile at all times extra, so I’m staying optimistic.”
Ricciardo’s optimism comes as there may be elevated hypothesis about his place with the staff, 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 strain from shareholders to provide 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 season.
With the same old caveats that each rumor relating to 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 typically a little bit little bit of the pokes from Helmut as a result of I feel it additionally may very well be a option to get me a little bit bit fired up and attempt to get one of the best 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 received an excellent alternative, I say till the summer season break,” continued Ricciardo. “I don’t suppose 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 so far, in addition to the rumors relating to Lawson.
“Nicely, [Ricciardo] definitely has helped us tremendously. Trying again final yr when he joined the staff, he introduced an entire new power and spirit into the staff. And he has been extraordinarily useful in supporting Yuki. Yuki has simply said that very lately, 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 at present do. However definitely, 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 call for subsequent yr’s line-up. We’ve confirmed Yuki, which was crucial for us. And the main target at present, actually, as you possibly can inform, is on the automobile and to enter the summer season break and have a quiet dialogue.”
Bayer — in addition to Pink Bull Workforce Principal Christian Horner — was pressed on the motive force lineup by the good Luke Smith of The Athletic. For Horner, he outlined how any choices shall be first addressed in-house, however did provide that like all the things in F1, the lineup at VCARB is “fluid.”
“I feel something relating to drivers goes to be handled in-house earlier than we speak 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 strain, that there’s at all times a scrutiny,” described Horner. “However, you realize, Daniel is within the seat and it’s right 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 staff, he’s our take a look at driver, he’s within the simulator,” added Bayer. “As most of you realize, 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 shall be taken quietly and we’re not in a rush.”
VCARB and Pink Bull may not be in a rush to solidify their lineup for 2025 — and decide on Ricciardo’s future — however the driver stays below mounting strain to enhance his type.
