Marko labels Ricciardo as ‘too slow’ 

As Daniel Ricciardo believes he is “within a shot of Q3” Helmut Marko has labelled his pace as “too slow” ahead of qualifying day in Australia.

The newly named Racing Bulls team heads down under after two point-less encounters at Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The team’s best result is Ricciardo’s P13 at the Bahrain opener while the Aussie could only manage 16th at Jeddah.

Teammate Yuki Tsunoda has also been in close proximity finishing 14th and 15th.

As a result Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko has voiced his frustrations at the lack of points achieved by the team.

The 2024 season is a big one for Ricciardo, being his first full campaign since 2022 and a golden chance to prove he deserves a return to Red Bull. In preseason the Aussie showed strong testing pace and also suggested Racing Bulls should not be seen as Red Bull’s junior squad any longer.

But after two under par races, time is running out and so is Marko’s patience.

“There’s a lot at stake (for Yuki and Daniel) both might be hoping for a seat at Red Bull, and one should be well ahead of the other,” Marko told SKY GERMANY.

“So far Ricciardo is a bit behind. But let’s put it this way: Tsunoda’s qualifying speed is OK. But in the race, both are too slow.”

Marko believes Racing Bulls should have already opened their accounts.

“I think one point would have been possible in each of the first two races,” he said.

“It’s very difficult to score points behind the top five (teams) and, when you have an opportunity, you can’t afford to make mistakes. 

“You have to test the decisions in the absolute right order.”

Racing Bulls has enjoyed a promising start to the Australian Grand Prix, especially on the medium compound in opening practice.

Tsunoda has led the way being fifth in FP1 and 10th in FP2.

Meanwhile home hero Ricciardo has not been far behind being 11th and 12th in the respective sessions with a top time of 12th in FP2.

He is hopeful of making a first Q3 appearance of 2024, something he has achieved six times at Albert Park.

“I think as a team we started on the front foot, (but) I think the afternoon session the others found a little more,” Ricciardo said.

“I think we’re definitely still within a shot of Q3. There are a lot of corners where, because it’s still a street circuit obviously, you put it on the edge.

“I think the conditions and grip were pretty good and it was fun to get into it. 

“There’s a little bit of work to do but nothing too crazy. As always, I think there’s a bit of fine-tuning of the car, and it should give us a good chance for qualifying. 

“In terms of race pace, with the little long run that we did, it seems okay. 

“Let’s qualify in the top 10 and then it’ll all get easier from there.”

Formula 1 cars will return to the track with FP3 at 12.30 AEDT.

Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

2024 Australian Grand Prix schedule (AEDT)

Friday, March 22

Practice 1: 1: L. Norris 2: M. Verstappen 3: G. Russell

Practice 2: 1: C. Leclerc 2: M. Verstappen 3: C. Sainz

Saturday, March 23

Practice 3: 12.30-13.30

Qualifying: 16.00-17.00

Sunday, March 24

Grand Prix: 15.00

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