Daniel Ricciardo breaks down the reasons for ‘tension’ between him and Yuki Tsunoda at RB

Daniel Ricciardo has proved second best to Yuki Tsunoda during the ongoing 2024 F1 season.

Daniel Ricciardo breaks down the reasons for ‘tension’ between him and Yuki Tsunoda at RB

Daniel Ricciardo [L] Yuki Tsunoda [R] (images via IMAGO)

Daniel Ricciardo was considered the lead candidate for a seat in Red Bull next year. However, the intra-team relations at VCARB have been adverse for the last two rounds. This has raised questions regarding Ricciardo’s prospects for returning to Milton Keynes if Yuki Tsunoda and the Australian at the sister team keep tripping over each other. Following this, the Aussie explained the reasons for the tensions between him and his teammate.

Daniel Ricciardo is a Red Bull veteran and has been part of the Austrian giant’s family for a long time. Moreover, the 34-year-old returned to its former alliance last year. Since he joined VCARB, the driver pairing has been coming over in each other’s way as both Yuki Tsunoda and Ricciardo aim to get the second seat on the senior team alongside Max Verstappen for 2025.

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Following the recent speculations, Ricciardo explained:

Look, I don't know, I've been in this for a long time now, and I feel like every year there is a pressure. I am someone that has obviously got to a top team, and then I am also someone that has lost a contract and been sitting on the sidelines, so I've been through it all. At the end of the day, you have to simplify these things like, I am standing here doing media, but my purpose of being here [in Saudi Arabia] is to race and to drive the car as fast as I can. So yes, we can overcomplicate or think about what happens if this team is watching me here and do I have a chance of getting this contract, there are so many things.
Daniel Ricciardo said in an interview with Racingnews365

The 34-year-old explained that both the drivers are on the hunt to get the elusive seat at Milton Keynes. This has led to an increased feud between the duo and has created a hostile atmosphere in the junior team. Going forward, both drivers need to think maturely to avoid unnecessary issues for the Faenza-based team.

Is Daniel Ricciardo past his prime?

Recently, speculations have been going around in the paddock regarding Ricciardo’s current status and his ability to put an F1 beast through the absolute wringer. Moreover, a former world champion has pointed out that the 34-year-old is past his prime. Even more surprisingly, a former McLaren employee has also pointed out this in a recent interview.

Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo (Via IMAGO)

Marc Priestly dwelled deeper into why the Aussie is past his best and said:

Daniel Ricciardo, at the other end of his career, he’s getting a hurry up from Helmut Marko. Actually, he’s not beating his teammate consistently enough and that is the very first step to becoming a legendary driver in Formula 1 – you have to beat your teammate. He’s not doing that enough and I think, with young drivers poking their heads up and saying, ‘Look at me’, Daniel Ricciardo has got time running out on his Formula 1 career.
Marc Priestley said on his YouTube channel

The 47-year-old mentioned that this year is probably Riccardo’s one of the last in the sport. Despite showing early promising signs when the latter joined the AlphaTauri(VCARB) the previous year, the progress has somewhat remained stagnant and this has come back to bite the ever-smiling Aussie.

However, Ricciardo will be readying himself for his home race in Melbourne this weekend. Moreover, the native would be hoping for a strong comeback to save his reputation and show that the former eight-time race winner has still got the passion to lock horns with the best in F1.

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