Ex-F1 team boss claims Daniel Ricciardo needs to ‘get it together’ to save his career

Daniel Ricciardo has so far only managed a P13 and P16 finish in the ongoing 2024 F1 season.

Ex-F1 team boss claims Daniel Ricciardo needs to ‘get it together’ to save his career

Daniel Ricciardo (Via: Imago)

Daniel Ricciardo has so far had a struggle behind the wheel of the VCARB 01. Ricciardo has not been able to perform anywhere near the level of his RB teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, and this has led to him receiving some criticism.

The 2024 F1 season is only rounds down and Daniel Ricciardo has started feeling the pressure at RB. In Bahrain, he and Tsunoda were in the limelight for all the wrong reasons, and during the recent Saudi Arabian GP weekend, he was simply outclassed by the Japanese driver.

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Several prominent personalities of the sport have been keeping their close eyes on Ricciardo’s exploits. Moreover, they feel that time is ticking for him to deliver.

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He needs a result more than anyone perhaps. He needs to get it together because otherwise he’s going to be replaced. He can understand why he would be replaced because the performances are not just there. He shouldn’t be spinning the car, he shouldn’t be putting himself out of sequence in a pit stop. You don't see Max doing that, you don’t see other people doing that. Daniel, as much as we adore him and I think he’s a huge asset for F1, the stopwatch never lies.
Eddie Jordan said via the Formula for Success podcast

At the Bahrain GP, the 34-year-old was only able to a P13 finish whereas in Jeddah, he further plummeted down the grid and ended his 50-lap exploit with a disappointing P16 finish. Tsunoda has fared slightly better in the ongoing campaign.

Daniel Ricciardo feels the VCARB 01 is not ‘functioning at 100%’

While Eddie Jordan has sounded the alarm for Ricciardo to get his act together, the latter feels that the RB 2024 car has not performed at its best in the first two races. He believes there is room for improvement on the VCARB 01.

Daniel Ricciardo VCARB 01
Daniel Ricciardo (Via: Imago)

Moreover, he is of the opinion that the flaws of the car are hindering his progress.

I think it was always going to be an uphill battle. We simply don't have everything functioning at 100%.
Daniel Ricciardo said in an interview with Motorsport

While Ricciardo has come under immense pressure after the first two races of the 2024 season, the good thing is that there are still opportunities ahead. There is ample time for the Honey Badger to sort certain things out and start performing at an acceptable level.

However, if the Australian’s woes continue by the time the campaign reaches its halfway point, he could have to face the same fate as that of the former RB driver, Nyck De Vries. The Dutchman was sacked midway through the 2023 campaign because of poor performances.

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