Daniel Ricciardo, struggling with a series of disappointing performances this Formula 1 season, recently held a frank discussion with his team at Visa Cash App RB (VCARB or RB) to address his ongoing issues. After a particularly poor showing at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he finished 12th while his teammate Yuki Tsunoda consistently placed in the top 10, Ricciardo initiated a thorough review of his racing strategies and preparation.
The Australian driver has openly acknowledged his difficulties, admitting that even a mid-season chassis change, which led to a promising fourth-place finish in the Miami Grand Prix sprint race, hasn’t been enough to improve his overall performance this season. Following Monaco, Ricciardo’s path to self-improvement involved a deep introspection focusing on both on-track and off-track factors.
In the crucial meeting, Ricciardo aimed to foster open communication with his engineering team, promoting an “open book” dialogue that emphasized constructive criticism and mutual understanding, particularly regarding energy management throughout race weekends. Speaking to the media, including Racing News 365, Ricciardo explained:
“I always look at the on-track stuff – can I brake later here, or do this and that. After Monaco, I also looked at some other things affecting my performances – am I coming into a race weekend not feeling energized or not feeling this or that?”
This introspective approach reflects Ricciardo’s commitment to identifying and addressing any factors that may be hindering his performance, ensuring he is in the best possible state to succeed on race days.
