Daniel Ricciardo has shared his thoughts on the recent struggles faced by his team. Despite a tough weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, he remains composed about the situation.
- Expectations were sky-high after RB introduced a major upgrade package in Spain, but results fell short of hopes.
- Both Ricciardo and Tsunoda were puzzled by their low qualifying positions, failing to pass Q1 despite new upgrades.
- Ricciardo emphasizes the need to analyze data before making any hasty decisions to revert to old specifications.
- Tsunoda expressed discomfort with the car, hinting at underlying issues despite solving some steering complications.
Ricciardo’s weekend at the Spanish GP was anything but smooth. With RB rolling out significant upgrades for the race, anticipation surrounded the team. Changes to the engine cover, sidepod inlets, rear wing, and floor were expected to propel the drivers into top-tier positions. Yet, the result was 17th and 18th in qualifying, leaving both Ricciardo and Tsunoda perplexed.
Although Tsunoda initially believed he’d secured a spot in Q2, reality hit when he learned his time wasn’t sufficient. The race didn’t see much improvement either, with Ricciardo finishing 15th and Tsunoda 19th, the latter receiving a pit lane speeding penalty. Ricciardo, despite feeling good on the track, described it as a ‘strange weekend,’ emphasizing that the car didn’t seem problematic during the runs.
Ricciardo remains calm, stating there’s no need for a panic-driven decision to revert to older car specs. However, he acknowledges that if no clear answers are found in 72 hours, reconsidering the spec switch might be necessary. His sentiments highlight a balance between making informed decisions and reacting to immediate challenges.
Tsunoda’s feedback was less optimistic as he struggled with the car’s handling. While some steering issues were addressed, he described feeling ‘weird’ in the vehicle, noting the lack of downforce and balance. His comments underscore internal concerns, signaling potential underlying issues that need addressing.
RB’s Technical Director, Jody Egginton, echoed the need for a detailed inspection post-race to identify any irregularities. Ensuring that nothing unusual went unnoticed will be crucial in understanding and improving the car’s performance. This meticulous analysis is vital to ensure that future races align more closely with expectations.
The Spanish Grand Prix served as a challenging reminder of the unpredictability in racing, urging teams to focus on detailed assessments before making decisive moves.
