- Visa Cash App RB team confirms chassis change was pre-planned, not Ricciardo’s decision.
- Ricciardo faces significant challenges in the 2024 season, struggling to secure points and facing early race exits.
- Ricciardo’s future with V-CARB is uncertain, depending on his performance improvement in the upcoming races.
The Visa Cash App RB team has taken steps to clarify that the decision to change Daniel Ricciardo’s chassis for the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix was not made by Ricciardo himself but was pre-planned by the team’s engineers and technicians at their Milton Keynes headquarters. RB’s sporting director, Alan Permane, emphasized that the new chassis, although not a performance enhancer, is intended to provide Ricciardo with a mental confidence boost.
This strategic move comes as the Australian driver faces a challenging 2024 season, having not scored any points in the first three races and enduring a brief and dramatic exit from the Japanese Grand Prix due to a collision with Alex Albon.
Also Read: How to Watch Chinese Grand Prix From Anywhere
Ricciardo’s Struggles and Team Dynamics
Daniel Ricciardo’s ongoing performance issues this season have drawn comments from industry veterans like former F1 team boss Giancarlo Minardi, who described them as complex and not merely physical. Despite these challenges, Ricciardo remains determined to prove his worth in the highly competitive environment of Formula 1, emphasizing his desire to not just participate but compete effectively. His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, has outperformed him so far, adding pressure on Ricciardo to enhance his standings and secure his place for the next season.
A @DanielRicciardo divebomb 🤯 This mighty move won Overtake of the Year for 2018 🇦🇺#F1 || #ChineseGP 🇨🇳pic.twitter.com/etSHQVJZG9
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) April 16, 2024
Future Uncertain for Ricciardo at V-CARB
Looking ahead, Ricciardo’s future with V-CARB remains uncertain. With a history of making decisive changes in their driver lineup, Red Bull could consider options for Ricciardo’s replacement if his performance does not meet their expectations. Prospects like Liam Lawson are potential candidates who could replace Ricciardo if he is unable to turn around his fortunes in the upcoming races. As the season progresses, Ricciardo’s results will be closely monitored to determine his future with the team.
