Formula 1 Bahrain GP
Ricciardo: "People will calm down" about RB's F1 performance
Daniel Ricciardo has played down paddock talk over his RB Formula 1 team's potential, saying "people will calm down a bit" after this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.
Filip Cleeren
Edited: Feb 29, 2024, 1:33 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
RB finished last season strongly after a steady stream of floor upgrades but ran out of races to overtake Williams for seventh in the championship.
After analysing last week's winter test at Sakhir, Williams' Alex Albon was one of several drivers and observers wary of the steps the former AlphaTauri team has made, having finished last season as one of the strongest teams in low-speed corners.
"Regarding RB, I think we already saw it towards the end of last year, they started to really make big steps as they work much closer with Red Bull," Albon said.
"I think that's pretty much the reason why you see the increase in performance from them. That's not discrediting what they're doing, they're doing an amazing job.
"But I do think they're going to be definitely one step or two steps ahead of where they were last year. They already showed great pace towards the end of last year as well.
"So, they're continuing that and I think they're actually going to be quite close to the top of the midfield."
Albon's comments back up long-run data from the winter test which, while it needs to be treated with caution, projects RB to be clear of 2023's remaining three bottom teams and closer to the top of the midfield.
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Team VCARB 01
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
When Ricciardo was asked if RB has a lot more pace to come than what it showed in last week's test, he played down the excitement around the so-called VCARB01 he and team-mate Yuki Tsunoda are driving.
"Time will tell, but I honestly don't think so," he said. "I want to say after testing, we have a bit of an idea of the gap to the leaders, give or take probably a few tenths. But knowing that it's still I think a bit of a pretty big gap.
"I think there are some teams that fit inside that gap. If we could leave here with Q3 and points, I think we'd be very happy to. Do I stand here now and say we're definitely going to Q3 and points? Still a bit unsure."
Regarding chatter over RB's closer collaboration with Red Bull, which now involves taking both the front and rear suspension from last year's RB19, Ricciardo says people will "calm down a bit" once they see the Anglo-Italian squad's actual performance level.
"I think some people think we'll be the Aston Martin of last year or the pink Mercedes of a few years ago," the Australian commented.
"I would love to surprise myself and be fighting for a podium, but I would say once we get the result of the weekend, people will calm down a bit.
"Obviously, we do have some components that we're allowed to use, but it's not to the level that I think some people are thinking."
Read Also:
Formula 1Leclerc: Red Bull form a mystery after it hid potential in F1 testing
Formula 1What's next for Red Bull after F1 boss Horner investigation all-clear
Formula 1Domenicali: "Process was followed" with F1 Andretti Cadillac rejection
Watch: F1 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix - What Can We Expect
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Hamilton faced "difficult winter" amid F1 management upheaval for 2024
Next article Russell: Mercedes has listened to Hamilton's wishes on 2024 F1 car
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Filip Cleeren
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
15 h
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
More from
Daniel Ricciardo
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
Formula 1 11 h
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Why Daniel Ricciardo is staying away from the F1 paddock
Formula 1
Formula 1 9 d
Why Daniel Ricciardo is staying away from the F1 paddock
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
WEC
WEC 15 d
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
More from
Red Bull Racing
Tsolov named Red Bull, Racing Bulls reserve driver after missing out on 2027 F1 race seat
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 d
Tsolov named Red Bull, Racing Bulls reserve driver after missing out on 2027 F1 race seat
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 d
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Latest news
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
6 h
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
6 h
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 11 h
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe