RB ‘very impressed’ with Yuki Tsunoda after outperforming Daniel Ricciardo in 2024

Yuki Tsunoda has outscored Daniel Ricciardo by 9 points in the first six races of 2024.

RB ‘very impressed’ with Yuki Tsunoda after outperforming Daniel Ricciardo in 2024

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

RB has had a decent start to the 2024 season. The Faenza-based team occupies the sixth spot in the constructors’ championship just behind Aston Martin. However, Yuki Tsunoda has scored the majority of points for RB since the season’s beginning. Daniel Ricciardo remains heavily outnumbered by his Japanese counterpart in the points tally. RB Team Principal Laurent Mekies showcased his contentment with the 24-year-old’s performance so far.

Daniel Ricciardo had a great sprint race during the Miami weekend, however, failed to score any points in the main race that weekend. Yuki Tsunoda has scored more consistent results as compared to the Aussie. Hence, Laurent Mekies reflected upon Tsunoda’s career at RB (previously AlphaTauri). The team principal reckoned that the 24-year-old made a ‘huge step’ this season. Additionally, Mekies highlighted that the Japanese always made progress since his first season in Faenza.

Yuki has made a huge step this year. In fairness, he made a step between year one and year two, year two and year three. And I think the step he is making now between year three and year four is massive.
Laurent Mekies told motorsport.com.
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Additionally, the 47-year-old mentioned that there was ‘more to come’ regarding performances from Tsunoda. RB has also been working to make sure that the 24-year-old is provided with the best possible environment to facilitate such growth for him. As a result, Mekies along with the entire crew was very impressed with Yuki Tsunoda’s results so far.

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He has made a massive step forward and I think there is more to come, so we are working very hard to make sure we develop an environment where he is able to make these steps. We are very impressed with his work.
Laurent Mekies noted.

Laurent Mekies believes there’s ‘more to come’ from Yuki Tsunoda in the 2024 season

Yuki Tsunoda has scored points in the three out of the six races so far. Laurent Mekies reckoned that the 24-year-old was getting better at dealing with low points. The Frenchman reflected that the Chinese GP was a great example as Tsunoda analyzed the weekend and bounced back at the Miami GP.

He is getting better [dealing] with the low points, China was a good example, he approached it in a rational way and we analysed together and he hit the ground running in Miami.
Laurent Mekies added.
Yuki Tsunoda (Via IMAGO)
Yuki Tsunoda (Via IMAGO)

Hence, the 47-year-old reiterated that it was a big step in the right direction for the team and Tsunoda. The Japanese’s performance played a massive role in RB’s newfound success in Formula 1. Mekies concluded by pointing out that Yuki Tsunoda improved both inside and outside the car, with less outbursts on the team radio.

So yes, it's a big step forward. It's played a massive role in our current success and we think there is more to come. You can also hear it on the radio. He is improving inside and outside the car.
Laurent Mekies concluded.

Daniel Ricciardo will have to start performing better results to make the cut for the 2025 season. The Australian driver is at risk of being ousted from the team if he fails to perform well. It seems that Tsunoda will continue to outperform the Honey Badger at RB for the time being. However, the Japanese driver could face a challenge from the 8-time race winner in the latter half of the season.

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