Daniel Ricciardo had been among the names thrown around as a contender for Red Bull’s coveted second seat. However, his hopes were ended for now by the announcement of Sergio Perez’s two-year contract extension, which will see him driver for the reigning champions until 2026.
Ricciardo discussed his feelings on the matter ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, admitting that he needs to improve his own personal performance.
The 34-year-old has only scored five points this year, coming in Miami. His qualifying difficulties have severely hampered him, trailing teammate 1-7 Tsunoda in Grand Prix sessions.
“I don’t think it means anything, that’s it. In terms of like, I don’t see it as, ‘oh, that’s it, maybe I won’t get a chance’ or anything. I mean, personally, I’ve had one amazing result in Miami, but then the rest of my season has not been really what I expect out of myself.
“So, I know that I want my season to go better than it is to really help with any opportunities like that. I’m also realistic, but I think even though each weekend maybe it’s one step forward and then maybe…I still want it to be progressing quicker, but I do think we are taking steps.
“I still believe I can turn it around, just do better moving forward, and just kick some butt. Obviously, if I’m here next year, then that’ll also make me happy.
Ricciardo showed very strong pace on his way to P4 in Sprint qualifying and the Sprint itself. He knows he must repeat that on a regular basis to turn heads at Red Bull Racing.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely, that’s already where my head was at. Because I knew, like, Miami was that, but I haven’t really done enough to really raise hairs. I don’t know, give people the goose skin. So, yeah, just try and do that more. And that’s it.”
The former McLaren driver however hasn’t give up on his dream of returning to the Milton Keynes-based squad, where he has achieved seven of his eight wins to date, even though he knows it won’t be easy to make it happen again.
“No, it’s not. To be honest, the mindset hasn’t changed. See, we’re not halfway through the season yet, but we’re fairly into it now.
“As I said, I’ve had one result, which I was really, really happy with, and then others, which I’ve been less, less so. So, I just hold myself probably accountable for not doing anything too spectacular.
“You know, when you’re trying to fight for a top seat, you need to be doing some pretty awesome things. So, yeah, look, that’s why I say I don’t think it means it will never happen. It’s still a place I’d love to finish my career.”
As a consequence, while keeping his eyes set on that goal, Ricciardo is very focused on the current project: helping RB secure P6 in the Constructors’ Championship this year by bagging points more consistently.
“But obviously in the now, in the short term, that’s not going to happen. So, mindset wise, like that was still kind of an end goal, but right now I’m here. Stated that I need to do well and get some more points, and I’m happy doing that here. I think the team is doing a good job to help me out with that, so it’s just up to me.”
The former teammate of Max Verstappen is sure he still has the speed to compete in F1 and he amongst the best. But Ricciardo is fully aware he needs to show his Miami pace on a consistent basis.
“I was going to say more right pedal, less left,” he started out with a joke.
“You know, it’s really just the speed. I know I still have the speed. So that’s not really a place where I’m [in now] maybe, but it’s really just week in, week out. That’s where I’ve probably maybe just had to work a little bit too hard to fight for that consistency at the moment.”
“So, yeah, since Monaco took a good look at myself and things, and trying to [improve]. I don’t think I need to flip the thing upside down, but it’s making one or two changes here and there, just give me that extra little bit to make a weekend smoother and then keep that momentum going.”
