F1 news: Daniel Ricciardo Positive There's An Issue With Car - 'There Is Something...'

The Australian driver expects there is still an issue with his car's chassis, despite it being replaced earlier this season.

May 5, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; RB driver Daniel Ricciardo (3) walks in the paddock before the F1 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

As the Formula 1 circus heads to the Canadian Grand Prix, Visa Cash App RB's Daniel Ricciardo finds himself grappling with lingering doubts about his car's reliability, despite a chassis change and persistent efforts to pinpoint the problem. This season has not been kind to Ricciardo, who recently saw his chance to return to the pinnacle with Red Bull Racing vanish as the team renewed Sergio Perez's contract.

Ricciardo has candidly acknowledged his own errors on the track but remains uncertain about the performance inconsistencies when compared to his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda. Discussing his chassis, he admits:

"I still believe there is something. Look, honestly, whether I believe or not, it's clear that with this new one, I've had some great races or some great performances and some not so great," Ricciardo stated. "So I think that's why I probably then make sure I'm looking at myself first and look at myself in the mirror. Make sure I'm getting the most out of me and being 100% on myself before I then start going alright, what about this? What about that?"

This self-scrutiny comes amid a challenging time for the Australian driver, who has shown flashes of his former brilliance but has struggled to deliver consistently high performances. Despite team assurances that the new chassis presents no technical issues, Ricciardo's frustrations suggest a deeper, perhaps elusive, mechanical enigma.

Formula 1 is a sport where fractions of a second matter, and the battle to find the perfect setup is unending. Ricciardo highlighted the complexity of this task:

"There's already enough that we're trying to problem solve over a weekend with set up and all these things. Making sure that I'm not just sending them on a path that is a waste of energy for everyone."

A Deeper Dive into Ricciardo’s Season Struggles at Visa Cash App RB

The Australian driver's 2024 season has been notably turbulent, with a string of lower finishes and two DNF outcomes, underscoring a persistent struggle.

Ricciardo's journey this season presents a stark contrast not only to the general competitive field but also within his own team. While teammate Yuki Tsunoda has managed to secure substantial points in several races, Ricciardo's highest finish was 12th, and he has mostly finished outside the point-scoring positions.

The performance overview for both is intriguing. Ricciardo kicked off his campaign with a 13th-place in Bahrain and followed with unremarkable results in Saudi Arabia and Australia. His issues compounded with consecutive DNFs in Japan and China, briefly turning hopeful with a data anomaly at the Miami Grand Prix, where he reportedly scored an unusual 5 points in the Sprint Race. He then reverted to form with finishes outside the top ten in subsequent races.

In comparison, Tsunoda has enjoyed comparatively better outcomes throughout the season. Although he also faced challenges, including a DNF in China, he has otherwise consistently placed within thetop ten, securing valuable points for the team. Notably, his performances in Monaco and Miami reflected a substantial haul of championship points, bolstering his standings.

Further analysis of both drivers’ performances reveals that while Tsunoda seems to have adapted well to the nuances of the RB1, Ricciardo has been less fortunate. The recurring issues with his car—an amalgam of potential mechanical flaws and possibly strategic misalignments—have hampered his ability to compete effectively.

Will the picturesque but challenging Montreal track provide Ricciardo with the opportunity to reset his season, or will it further expose the underlying issues that have plagued his campaign? The answers to these questions will be pivotal not only for his season's trajectory but also for the team's choices moving forward.