Ricciardo “supremely happy” and “confident” ahead of F1’s return to China

No stranger to success in Shanghai, Daniel Ricciardo says Formula 1’s return to China after a five-year hiatus will be the perfect opportunity for him to “get [his] season going”, adding that his slow start hasn’t created any “immense pressure” in his pursuit for the 2025 Red Bull seat.

Thus far, the opening four rounds of the 2024 F1 season have far from reaped the rewards Ricciardo was hopeful of on his mission to secure the 2025 Red Bull seat, not only battling it out with Sergio Perez and Yuki Tsunoda for the coveted top drive, but Carlos Sainz as well now.

On a potential promotion to Red Bull, Ricciardo said “it’s certainly not something on the forefront of [his] mind” in China, with the #3 still focused on getting his season going.

“You’ve always got to prove yourself, so I’ve got to prove myself [in China] again and get that ball rolling.

“Being here in the [Red Bull] family, they know what I’m capable of and I think that’s obviously really encouraging.

“We want to turn this thing around, but there is not some immense pressure that like: ‘you’ve got to show us you have the ability to do it’, cause they know I do.

“Obviously now it’s just doing it, and making it happen.”

Last time out, the RB driver’s Japanese Grand Prix lasted only three corners after he and Alex Albon made race-ending contact at Turn 3 in a costly racing incident.

That also came after limited running across the weekend to allow Ayumu Iwasa and RB to complete one of their rookie practice sessions, as well as wet weather interruptions, cost the West Australian crucial time on track, seeing him narrowly missing out on a Q3 appearance. 

Daniel Ricciardo on his track walk ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. Image: Peter Fox/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.

“I’d say Japan, at least the Saturday, was a short one but it was, I think, definitely encouraging,” Ricciardo said.

“Just got to get it done now.

“Do I fear anything or do I feel that I cannot? Absolutely not.

“I am supremely happy, well-rounded, and confident.”

Ricciardo, who experienced the highest of highs at the 2018 Chinese Grand Prix after valiantly claiming the top step, will be looking for any sort of reprieve from the internal and external scrutiny he is facing, hoping to solve those issues with a points finish come both chequered flags this weekend.

On his last venture to Shanghai, Ricciardo lined up as a Renault driver, a point his his career which came after making many memories at the highly regarded Shanghai International Circuit with Red Bull.

“There’s been a lot [of memories in Shanghai], obviously 2018s a standout,” the #3 said.

“I remember 2016, front row and led for a few laps, and then we got a puncture… it was a crazy race!

“The last time we were here, 2019, it was kind of the race that kickstarted everything with my Renault campaign.

“We struggled the first few races, and then came here and kind of found something so that was really positive.

“I’d love to replicate that five years later, ‘cause we’re… obviously on paper, we’re probably not in a good place, but we’re not far off.

“I know there’s a little bit here and there, but it definitely hasn’t taken any confidence away from me.”

Daniel Ricciardo arrives at the Shanghai International Circuit with engineer Pierre Hamelin. Image: Andy Hone / LAT Images.

Although the limited hour of practice around the Shanghai International Circuit will be a tough challenge for the grid to overcome, Ricciardo can take some comfort from his experience around the circuit, and the fact that many drivers have never taken to the SIC in Formula 1 machinery.

Ricciardo has also been given a new chassis on his VCARB 01 this weekend, a change the Australian has been requesting for some time now. 

“It’s funny because I’m in year fourteen of this and, you know, you say I’m learning every time and I’m like ‘well, I’m not a rookie’, but it’s true. You’re always learning,” Ricciardo said.

“That’s what makes the sport exciting, is that you’re constantly trying to find something all the time and you can find something.

“Did I want to be learning this much coming into Race 5? Not really, but it still coming from a good place, it’s not coming from a place of ‘we’re really struggling and we’re really in a deep, dark hole and it’s going to be hard to get out of it’, not at all.”

With two opportunities to score points this weekend, with China being the first of six Sprint weekends this year, Ricciardo will have his hopes on finally adding to his team’s tally for the first time this year.

Following tomorrow’s morning practice session, Friday will also play host to the Sprint Shootout, in which Ricciardo says he’s “very confident that [he] can get the job done”.

It’s a different Sprint schedule for Saturday as well, with the Sprint Race taking place in the morning ahead of the Grand Prix qualifying session in the afternoon which will set Sunday’s grid.

Action in Shanghai kicks off at 1:30 PM, AEST on Friday, with the sole practice session of the weekend opening F1’s return to China.

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