Red Bull gets new strategy software to avoid pitstop disasters

Ricciardo admitted that he needed “a few days” to get over his Monaco disappointment, and took his mind off the disappointment with laps in Zak Brown’s fleet of historic cars at Paul Ricard.

He didn’t speak to his team in the aftermath of losing the win when it failed to have the correct tyres ready for his second pitstop in Monaco – saying over the radio on his in-lap: “Just save it.”

“I was happy to keep some distance for a few days and for myself as well, it wasn't probably healthy to address it straight away,” said Ricciardo. “For a few days I was upset I guess, and obviously ruing some missed opportunities. But it’s one of those things, it happens, it is unfortunate it happened back to back [when he lost a potential win in Spain also].

“That expanded the feelings and emotion a lot more, but I have moved on. I still have a lot of faith in the team, and I don’t doubt things with them moving forward.

“For me it is really important this weekend to execute a perfect weekend – we have a good car and good material. It is trying to maximise it, the last few weekends I felt I should have got more, we want to leave Sunday knowing we have maximised everything from both sides.”

Horner apologised over phone

Ricciardo explained that he spoke to team boss Christian Horner and his engineer Simon Rennie only after he’d cooled off.

“It was all over the phone,” he added. “I let it cool a couple of days – Christian apologised on everyone's behalf he explained what went down and why there was confusion and why the tyres weren't ready, so that was really the phone call, then I spoke to my engineer Simon later in the week after they had chance to spend days in factory to hear what they put in place.

“I questioned the second pit, where we effectively lost the race, I questioned the first pitstop as well. I thought we put ourselves in a race with Lewis that we didn't need to be in – so I questioned it.

“He said they weren't looking into but acknowledge that was also a mistake. There will be some new software for strategy and live stuff during the race that can make us more prepared and if there are late calls again ensure everything is put in place – I had some questions to ask and they answered them with some confidence and I heard what I needed to hear.”

Upbeat over Canadian chances

Of his chances this weekend in Montreal, Ricciardo said he was looking to bounce back in style.

“In my mind, it would be a lovely way to bounce back, I think,” he added. “Realistically, Mercedes are still going to be the ones to beat.

“I hope we can be the next best. I do believe we will be the next ones in line behind Mercedes, how far behind I am not sure.”

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