Ricciardo fires early warning over new Visa Cash App RB

The team formerly known as AlphaTauri has rebranded for the upcoming campaign and, in a change in philosophy, has increased its collaboration with the senior Red Bull team.

As per the regulations, the team is taking as many transferable components - previously non-listed parts - as is permitted, with the front and rear suspension and brake and steering systems all coming from Red Bull technologies.

Ricciardo is starting his first full season back in F1 after his half-season last term and the energised Australian, joined by Yuki Tsunoda, is excited by what he sees.

Ricciardo bullish

"It is going to be fast, but if it looks good as well, that is nice," Ricciardo exclusively told RacingNews365 at the Las Vegas launch.

"There is a lot happening with this team now that I think is more than just another phase of building the team into something more than just a Red Bull junior team, and that is something really important.

"Mexico [2023] was my second race back after injury with a team that was struggling to have these results in those circumstances, it gives us a lot of hope for this year.

"Coming into a full pre-season now, I have a lot of self-confidence in myself so I think some good things can happen.

"To get back on the podium for sure would be amazing, but if you say: 'Oh you only have one podium this year, and the rest are 10th places, no, that is not what I want.

"I would rather a whole lot of top fives, with no podium, and just show consistency towards the front, that is what I really want, a bit like my second year at Renault [in 2020], which people forget about now.

"That was a year I was really consistently in the top five, top six and a few podiums, and that is the level which I want to be able to produce again week in, week out.

"I did two days last week [on the simulator] and I have another day next week after the filming day [at Misano on Monday].

"It was good to get back in the car, I missed it, and even at this point in my career as well, maybe people think I just can't be bothered with these things, but I am enjoying everything.

"It is important for me to feel that in my heart, and it gives me the motivation to go out and do it to the best of my ability."