Daniel Ricciardo is facing pressure from within the Red Bull racing team, with Helmut Marko, a key figure in the organization, publicly noting the need for improved performance from the Australian driver.
This comes amid Ricciardo’s return to a full-time racing campaign post his stint with McLaren, where his results have been less than stellar, having been outperformed by teammate Yuki Tsunoda in both qualifying sessions and races of the 2024 season so far.
Ricciardo’s intra-team competition with Tsunoda is gaining attention as it could potentially decide who might claim Sergio Pérez’s seat at Red Bull Racing, should Pérez not continue with the team.
The dynamics within Red Bull also hint at a possible early exit by Max Verstappen due to internal team politics, adding another layer of intrigue to the situation.
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Marko, known for his candid comments, emphasized the high stakes for both Ricciardo and Tsunoda, highlighting Tsunoda’s qualifying success and signaling that Ricciardo needs to enhance his performance. This direct feedback is part of the culture within the Red Bull family, a facet that Ricciardo claims to appreciate.
“I enjoy being back in the Red Bull family because I enjoy that little bit of extra whatever it is from Helmut, where it’s like, ‘I know he’s always going to be on my arse’,” Ricciardo shared with Fox Sports, indicating his acceptance of Marko’s straightforward approach.
Ricciardo also addressed the notion of external perceptions regarding Marko’s comments, urging against misinterpretation.
He acknowledged his own shortcomings in Bahrain and the team issues in Saudi Arabia, dismissing any undue concern about pressure.
The Australian remains self-motivated and focused on improvement, despite a challenging start to the season marked by a significant qualifying gap and a disappointing race in Saudi Arabia due to a slow pit stop and a mistake on track.
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However, Ricciardo and his team identified inconsistencies with his car, providing context to the difficulties faced and maintaining confidence in the vehicle’s potential.
He remains optimistic about his ability to compete effectively, supported by a closely contested field where any race could present opportunities for points, especially at his home race.
Ricciardo’s resilience and positive outlook underscore his determination to reclaim a position among the frontrunners in Formula 1, understanding the importance of seizing every opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities and earn his place in the sport.