Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with F1 car
Daniel Ricciardo says the RB Formula 1 team has identified a “few flaws” with its 2024 car and that not everything is “functioning at 100%”.
The Australian was classified 16th in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, one spot behind team-mate Yuki Tsunoda – who was tagged with a five-second penalty for an unsafe release.
Ricciardo was stymied in Jeddah by a 41s pitstop due to an issue fitting the rear tyres as the team attempted a double stack during a safety car period. He also spun late on at the opening corner and struggled to catch Williams driver Logan Sargeant.
The eight-time GP winner reckons the RB team has picked out “flaws” with its VCARB 01 design, saying: “Honestly, we found a few things over the course of the weekend…
“I think it was always going to be an uphill battle. We simply don't have everything functioning at 100%. So, we see a few flaws, honestly, with the car.
“The race itself, safety car, everyone pitted, and we had a really slow stop. Then we're in that train. So, at the end, then just to make sure, I made my mistake as well, I had a spin at Turn 1.”
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Team
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
While Ricciardo did not specify the nature of the issues, he pointed to struggles producing “efficiency” that meant RB struggled to improve as strongly as rival teams as the race weekend wore on. Tsunoda called out a lack of grip.
Ricciardo continued: “Honestly, some things with the car. Like just when it comes to producing efficiency and everything, just a few things didn't quite add up…
“When it kind of plateaus and the others keep improving, it's also a bit of a sign. So, I could feel that that was the limit of the car.
“We did find some things afterwards. But then you’ve got parc ferme [regulations preventing major set-up changes]. And to be honest, even if we didn't have parc ferme, it's probably nothing we can fix in 24 hours.
“So, I'm sure a few things [will] go back to the factory and come back with a fresh car in Melbourne.”
Ahead of his home race in Melbourne next weekend, Ricciardo added: “The reason I'm staying optimistic is because I know that we had some things wrong. And with a good car and everything sorted, I know we can do a lot better.”
Watch: F1 2024 Saudi Arabian GP Review – The Red Bull Machine Powers On
Share Or Save This Story
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Lando Norris reunites with Daniel Ricciardo for Indy 500 celebrations after disastrous Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
Arvid Lindblad opens up on Liam Lawson relationship at Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad admits F1 rookie season has exceeded expectations
How Arvid Lindblad has shown that he's found his feet in F1
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell explains why he doesn’t necessarily mind driver fights
It might be time to get Bubba Wallace his own food and travel show
F1 fans praise Gabriel Bortoleto's brutally honest "Passenger Princess" appearance
Christian Horner announces UK book tour for new memoir following Red Bull F1 exit
Switch off or ramp up? How the smartest F1 drivers managed the summer break
Could McLaren follow Red Bull’s path with its own F1 engine – and should it?
Top 10 rookie seasons in F1
Why F1 shouldn’t be hiding its most interesting characters
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.
Top Comments