Ricciardo avoiding sending RB 'down rabbit holes'

Daniel Ricciardo has insisted that he is using his "past experience" to direct RB down the right path, and to keep the Red Bull sister team out of any "rabbit holes". 

The eight-time race winner made a shocking start to the 2024 F1 season and struggled with the original chassis of the team's car, before receiving a new chassis for the Chinese Grand Prix. 

Since receiving the new chassis, Ricciardo's performances have somewhat improved, although his first Grand Prix points were only scored last weekend in the Canadian Grand Prix. 

There remains an inconsistency to the Australian's results since receiving the new chassis, although what he is taking forwards is that he has proven that at times he still has exceptional pace. 

Ricciardo's challenge is to show his strong pace on a regular basis. 

"I think, when in China when I got the new chassis and the weekend was looking better, and then Miami started well, I said 'alright, yeah, it could be it'," Ricciardo told select media including RacingNews365, ahead of the Canadian GP.

"But then, now I have a couple of runs of maybe not so good races. So yeah, I think what's good is, obviously, I still have the ability to do some pretty cool things, pretty special or whatever. 

"But it's just making sure that is me, kind of unconditionally. And it's not just starting when I'm feeling good, or when the conditions are right. I believe moving forward, I can be more consistent because I've done it."

'Waste of energy'

Ricciardo's best race performance is his P8 finish at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, whilst he finished fourth in the recent Miami sprint. 

One-lap pace has looked more promising, as he qualified fourth for the Miami sprint and fifth last weekend in Canada. 

He continues to believe he started the season badly due to the original chassis but is avoiding looking down that path. 

Ricciardo's target is to get the best out of himself and the package he has, whilst ensuring that the team are using its energy in the right manner. 

"I still believe there is something but 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 added. 

"So I think that's why probably then make sure I'm looking at myself first and look at myself in the mirror. And yeah, just make sure I'm getting the most out of me and being 100% kind of on myself before I then start going 'alright, what about this? What about that?'

"Because I never want the team to, probably through past experience, I never want the team to kind of go down rabbit holes. And there's already enough that we're trying to problem solve over a weekend with set up and all these things. 

"So yeah, making sure that I'm not just sending them on a path that is a waste of energy for everyone."