Daniel Ricciardo delivered a much-needed performance boost for RB at the Canadian Grand Prix last weekend, finishing in eighth place and earning four valuable points.
Prior to Montreal, Ricciardo had not scored points on a Sunday all season.
His only success came in the Miami Sprint, where he finished fourth.
However, the Australian driver set himself up well in qualifying by securing P5, RB’s highest grid slot of the season.
Despite losing some positions during the race, ending a three-race scoring drought was critical.
Contrary to Ricciardo’s performance, Yuki Tsunoda struggled in the other RB car.
After qualifying in eighth place and being on track for points, a spin at the end of sector two ruined his race.
During the weekend, RB announced they had exercised the option to extend Tsunoda’s contract.
Tsunoda, who has contributed 19 of RB’s 28 points, was out of contract at the end of the year.
The future remains uncertain for Ricciardo. Although he hoped for a return to Red Bull, those hopes were dashed after Sergio Perez signed a new deal.
Ricciardo had to overcome a five-second penalty and a poor start during the race.
His car rolled forward in its grid box, triggering an automatic sanction.
While the Australian wasn’t at fault, he struggled in the first few corners.
Fernando Alonso passed him at turn one, and Lewis Hamilton overtook him as Ricciardo slid wide at the next corner.
Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde noted something “very strange” in the onboards of both RB cars on De Race Show.
They pulled away in first gear rather than second.
Van der Garde said, “Everyone chooses second gear except for V-CARB.
“I thought it was crazy and very strange.
“You also saw that they had a bad start.”
Ricciardo’s performance came after harsh criticism from 1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who questioned his place in F1.
Christian Horner mentioned that the criticism only motivated the 34-year-old.
However, this result will mean little if Ricciardo cannot maintain consistency.
With only two points finishes in nine races, he lags behind Tsunoda’s five.
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Ricciardo faces the threat of losing his seat to reserve driver Liam Lawson during the summer break.
Using Montreal as a launchpad could save his career.
Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle commented that leaving Red Bull in 2018 was an “emotional” and “flawed” decision that altered Ricciardo’s career path.