Ricciardo asserts RB F1 car not a ‘pink Mercedes’

Daniel Ricciardo has calmed suggestions that RB has taken a substantial leap in the pecking order for the upcoming season.

The newly rebranded RB squad is working closer with its sister Red Bull team this year, drawing criticism from some - most vocally McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

RB’s improvement in pace was evident towards the end of last season when it continued to aggressively develop the car, with the 2024 successor described as an evolution of the 2023 challenger.

Williams’ Alex Albon stated ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend that the team has made a “great step” over the winter break and predicted that it would be competing towards the front of the midfield pack.

'Not a pink Mercedes'

However, Ricciardo was reserved when questioned about RB’s prospects and shut down any suggestion that the team is operating as a carbon copy of Red Bull's 2023 car.

“We’ll get our answer in 48 hours, but I think some people think it’s that and we’re going to be the Aston of last year or the Pink Mercedes [Racing Point’s 2020 car that greatly resembled Mercedes’ challenger from the previous year].

“Let’s see, I would love to surprise myself and be fighting for a podium.

“But I would say once we get the result on the weekend, people will calm down a bit.

“Obviously, we do have some components that we’re allowed to use and things like that,” he said.

“But it is not to the level that I think some people are thinking or hoping or whatever.”