Ricciardo offers RB respite after stinging Tsunoda criticism

Daniel Ricciardo insists he will not rush to judgment over RB's Italian Grand Prix upgrade despite stinging criticism from Yuki Tsunoda.

Tsunoda was the only driver of the two to be armed with fresh parts for RB's home race at Monza but was eliminated in Q1 after being out-qualified by Ricciardo who was running the old-spec. 

The race proved point-less for the team after Tsunoda was rammed by Nico Hulkenberg at Turn 1, retiring on lap 7 with overheating issues, whilst Ricciardo took 13th after earning a penalty for colliding with Hulkenberg later on lap 1 - leading him to seek the Haas driver out over concerns he was a "prick" to the German.

RB has struggled to deliver upgrades in 2024, with its Spanish GP package proving troublesome. Ricciardo, though, is keen to test the new parts for himself before making an assessment.

"Unless the team see some strong negatives, the plan is to still run them in Baku," Ricciardo explained when pushed by RacingNews365 for his take on the situation, and referring to the next race in Azerbaijan.

"I think sometimes what you can't predict is on track, it might produce more load, but maybe it shifts the balance and setting up the car is trickier.

"Maybe that is what we just didn't get quite right to exploit all of the grip, but it is hard for me to speak on. I want to believe it can still be good, because obviously the last one wasn't too good for us. 

"I'd like to think this one is better but obviously only Yuki has the experience with it and he was vocal about having a tough weekend, so we will see.

"It is something I would definitely like to try and give at least a session and have a feel for it before maybe saying it is not the one."

A potential theory

Ahead of the race, Monza was completely resurfaced, with the new asphalt making tyre graining a problem throughout the weekend. 

Ricciardo feels that this, coupled with the low-downforce configuration of Monza, could have had an impact on Tsunoda's feeling in the car.

"We obviously have reason to believe it is better, but I haven't driven it, so I can't say if it is better or not, but it has been tricky," he said.

"I think a combination of low downforce and a new asphalt means it is quite peaky to find the grip and put laps together."