The Australian managed to revive his F1 career with the AlphaTauri team last season, on both sides of his layoff due to a broken hand, with a series of strong workouts following his mid-season call-up to the Italian team.
Although there were no apparent faults with the chassis he used in the first four races, the Perth native felt the new chassis should at least offer some psychological reward after admitting to struggling during the first sixth of the season.
“Obviously I talked about it quite openly, because I struggled a little bit this year,” Ricciardo said.
“But I also think we need to be clear that it was always the plan to bring this chassis here, but I was just putting my hand up to say that as soon as it’s ready, I’ll take it.”
“Yuki is happy with his, so that’s it. It’s a little box to check off now and make sure we’re all okay – and have peace of mind.
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Team VCARB 01
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“We couldn’t find anything wrong with what I had. Sometimes it’s whether these things can be seen, maybe not. Maybe it’s just to clear my mind and l ‘have ; it doesn’t matter, even if I had my old chassis, it’s not the case.
“I still think I can make things happen. But this is something now that I’m sure deep down will help in some way.”
Ricciardo compared his current situation to that of his first season with Renault in 2019, where he endured two difficult races in Australia and Bahrain, before a race in China brought him his first points of the season with seventh place. .
“I do not have [had to seek reassurances]. I think because I’m obviously with the team every day, I would hear it from them,” Ricciardo said.
“I haven’t had a good start to the season, but I’m also not a rookie trying to establish myself in the sport and prove something. I have a track record, and there’s proof there that I can do it.
“And the team believes it and knows I can, so they’re just trying to clean it up and make sure we can get it. I don’t want it to take a whole year and I don’t expect it to whatever it takes.
Laurent Mekies from Visa Cash App RB speaks with Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Team
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
“But it’s not like I’m trying to show them something they haven’t seen yet. We’re just trying to get me to a place where I feel like I can deliver.
“I obviously want to perform not only for myself, but also for them. But yeah, there’s no added pressure like ‘shit, am I going to get a place next weekend?’ . It’s nothing like that.”
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