Ricciardo details ‘excitement’ amid F1 slump

Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 future is up in the air amid a difficult start to the 2024 season - however the RB driver is sensing an opportunity at this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

The Shanghai International Circuit has historically been a strong one for the Australian driver.

In 2018, he took a stunning victory - perhaps the best of his career - around the circuit as he made use of fresh tyres in the second half of the race to carve through his rivals en route to the top step of the podium.

Ricciardo has scored in China on every occasion he has visited the location, bar his first trip in 2012 with Toro Rosso.

The 34-year-old will be hopeful he can continue his trend this weekend as he aims to put an end to the poor spell that has plagued the start of this campaign.

Ricciardo has been consistently out-paced by Yuki Tsunoda since the opening round, with some pointing out similarities to his McLaren years in 2021 and 2022.

Last time out at the Japanese Grand Prix, Ricciardo’s venture lasted just a single corner as he tangled with Alex Albon on the opening lap.

Reports have suggested that time is running out for Ricciardo and he is now in a fight to secure his future on the grid, having rejoined the sport in the hope of returning to the front-running Red Bull squad.

The Australian will also have a new chassis for the event, however RB has played down the significance of making the change.

An added challenge for Ricciardo will be the sprint format, which is making its season debut in China this weekend.

While Ricciardo’s career has gone through a series of changes since his last visit to China in 2019, he has vocalised his excitement over the prospect of getting back to the venue.

“It’s a track that I'm certainly looking forward to getting back to,” Ricciardo told media including RacingNews365.

“I’ve got definitely good memories even the last time we were there in Renault. That was where I felt my Renault campaign kind of started to turn around.

“I struggled the first few weekends with them and then Shanghai I think we qualified seventh and had a points race.

“So it's been a good track for me. So that gives me some excitement going back.”