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Daniel Ricciardo maintains his deal with the monitor, disregarding any “unfavorable stuff” swirling across the paddock relating to his future with the RB Components 1 crew.
Regardless of hypothesis about his place, Crimson Bull opted to stay with Ricciardo for the 2024 season over Liam Lawson, who carried out admirably throughout his stint filling in for the injured Australian in 5 races final 12 months.
Nonetheless, the early races of this season have seen Ricciardo considerably overshadowed by his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who has demonstrated sturdy performances, together with two Q3 appearances and an eighth-place end in Melbourne.
However, Ricciardo has confronted challenges to find his rhythm, ranging from 18th in his residence race after a track-limits infringement price him a fast lap. His performances within the first three occasions have seen him end in thirteenth, sixteenth, and twelfth positions, respectively.
Amid rumors suggesting that Crimson Bull advisor Helmut Marko has issued Ricciardo an ultimatum to show himself inside two extra races or danger shedding his seat to Lawson, the Australian driver stays unfazed.
Ricciardo emphasizes that he’s not permitting himself to be distracted by such hypothesis, sustaining his perception in his talents.
“I got here into this weekend, actually, actually, deep down believing like we had been going to have a really, excellent weekend,” Ricciardo affirmed throughout the Australian Grand Prix weekend, demonstrating his dedication to deal with his efficiency relatively than exterior chatter.
“By way of the noise, individuals inform me like within the media, they’re like, ‘Oh, so and so mentioned’ – it’s the primary I’ve heard.
“It’s clearly no disrespect to you guys, however I do know that I’m on this little sort of course of or journey in the mean time. And I simply have to deal with myself. And I believe if I let any of the noise in, it’s going to sort of distract me from the trail I’m on. I haven’t let any of that unfavorable stuff creep in.”
Ricciardo acknowledged that he had hoped for a stronger starting to the 2024 season, particularly after constructing momentum within the latter a part of final 12 months.
“I didn’t count on to start out the season like this,” he said. “Budapest final 12 months, I drove the automobile a day earlier than, after which I outqualify Yuki and had a very sturdy race – and with no information.
“After which having a full pre-season and all that, and all of the races final 12 months, I actually thought that this 12 months we’d begin loads stronger.
“So there’s that which I don’t perceive, not solely me, however just a few individuals are questioning why. I believe the necessary factor is that I keep heading in the right direction. It’s not that my head is crammed with nonsense or something. I actually really feel good.
“And simply, sadly, the outcomes haven’t made me really feel superior. However deep down behind the wheel, I do really feel good and excited and simply need to maintain racing. And I’m positive I’ll discover a bit extra in myself, and I nonetheless consider possibly we’ll discover a bit one thing on the automobile.”
Ricciardo hinted at discovering positives from the Melbourne race, regardless of ending up 4 locations behind his teammate.
“I believe there have been actually some moments the place it does look extra encouraging,” he said.
“Even then I nonetheless have some feedback I believe for the crew, even once we are going quick, I believe there’s nonetheless some issues that I really feel like I’m lacking. However yeah, actually a bit bit extra encouraging, and simply we’ll maintain chipping away.
“What I clearly need to reiterate to the crew as properly is that it’s not a kind of confidence factor. It’s not like, ‘What the hell is that this automobile going to do after I brake or after I flip?’
“It’s not that. It’s merely simply I really feel like plenty of the time I’m not capable of carry the pace, possibly, and I see Yuki is ready to. So see what I can do higher. And I’m asking loads of inquiries to the crew as properly. So it’s a two-part course of.”
Ricciardo stays optimistic that forthcoming updates will contribute to him feeling extra comfortable with the VCARB 01.
“As I mentioned I’m asking the crew plenty of questions. And I believe we can have some bits and items sort of come on to the automobile within the subsequent sort of one, two races.
“I count on it to be a fairly fast turnaround. And earlier than you recognize it, we’ll be doing nice once more. And I do know I sort of mentioned that jokingly, however I do! I do consider it. So yeah, we’ll hopefully flip it round.”
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