Ricciardo keen to address performance concerns despite RB praise

Daniel Ricciardo is focusing on improving his performances rather than positive comments made by RB's CEO Peter Bayer, who expressed his delight with Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda. 

Bayer's comments came during the Monaco Grand Prix and led to suggestions that Tsunoda and Ricciardo could be retained for 2025, with the pair being on only one-year deals. 

Ricciardo has endured a difficult start to 2024 which has seen his chances of a return to Red Bull diminish, although his performances have improved since being given a new chassis from the Chinese Grand Prix, leading to speculation of a potential contract extension. 

The eight-time F1 race winner was asked by RacingNews365 after qualifying in Monaco, if he is hearing similar messages regarding his future inside the team. 

"I'll be honest, I haven't really given it too much [thought]," Ricciardo said. "So yes, that's great to hear. And yes, that would be awesome. But I want to be doing better consistently. 

"I think, like today, maybe we do find something that, okay, that's why I lost a bit here or there. But there will probably always be something, this is F1, and it's never perfect. 

"So I just, I'm not happy with having these gaps. I think that's what's frustrating me a bit. Obviously, the team has been great."

Desire to do better

RB has, as explained by Ricciardo, been very supportive of the Australian driver during his difficult moments this season.

Ricciardo is confident that the Faenza-based outfit recognise what he is capable when he is performing at his best, something he is keen to be doing more regularly. 

For now, Ricciardo is focused more on extracting more performance out of the car and reducing the gap to the teams ahead, rather than his future. 

"They've been really, really supportive," continued Ricciardo. "And obviously, they know I can do it, but it's just been a bit more of a struggle this year to do it week in, week out. 

"And that's really where my focus is now as opposed to getting too comfortable or excited about what the future holds. 

"I want to be doing that. Whether that's car or me, just, I want to be doing better. And I said I didn't feel too bad today, but clearly it wasn't good enough."