Ricciardo backed by RB boss

The under pressure Daniel Ricciardo still has the backing of Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies ahead of a potentially critical Miami Grand Prix.

During the Australian Grand Prix it emerged Ricciardo had to pick up his pace before Miami or be replaced by Kiwi Liam Lawson, but luck and results have not been on the “Honey Badger’s” side.

Ricciardo has had a tough start to 2024, struggling to match younger teammate Yuki Tsunoda and only beating him once in Bahrain.

In Suzuka the #3 was wiped out at Turn 3 due to an unlucky clash with Alex Albon, while last time out at China Ricciardo was finally on track to beat the #22, only for Lance Stroll to run into the back of the RB.

This weekend Ricciardo will have to contend with a three-place grid penalty due to breaching Safety Car regulations.

Although things have not panned out as previously hoped, Mekies still has full belief in Ricciardo, with progress evident since Saudi Arabia and the Aussie hoping the recently changed strategy makes a difference.

“It’s the DNA of our job to try to identify what car set-up is needed for both the car and the drivers to perform at their best, and that is what we are doing with both our drivers,” Mekies told AUTOSPORT.

“We have seen a strong growth from Yuki and we are seeing Daniel getting back on his trajectory.

“Already in Saudi, we were starting to say that we were seeing stuff that made us understand how to support him better, so the trajectory is good.

“We have a few things midterm coming to help him feel better in the car and to make sure that our car suits his driving style the best.

“But certainly it will be a good confidence boost to see that there is tangible progress like we saw over (the Chinese Grand Prix) weekend.”

Although there has been a significant amount of pressure on Ricciardo’s shoulders, Mekies made it clear everyone in the RB garage is behind the “Honey Badger.”

“Unlike what is perhaps perceived from the outside, during this difficult start to the season, he has been very focused, very calm and very rational about it,” he said.

“We looked at the limitations of the car, and what he needed to go faster. 

“Some of the steps you can do quickly, but first you need to understand it.

“Then once you have understood, some of the steps you can act on quickly, and some others will take more time.

“We have tried to tick as many boxes as we could, but we certainly don’t stop here.”

Meanwhile Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner stated that Ricciardo’s future is “in his own hands” but made it clear the “priority” is to keep the incumbants.

“I mean, his season hasn’t really got going yet, he’s had some difficulties. I think by his own admittance he would feel that he’s underperformed so far this year, but we’re only at race five,” Horner said in China.

“I think that it’s pretty much in Daniel’s hands. He needs to show the kind of head-turning form to make not only ourselves, but potentially to make others, take notice.

“Obviously, waiting in the wings is a driver with the talent of Liam Lawson, who naturally is champing at the bit to get an opportunity, but there’s nothing pre-set or preordained as to when or even if that would take place.

“The priority is for sure for the drivers that are in the race seats at the moment and we’ll see how that pans out.”

This weekend’s Miami Grand Prix could be a big one in Ricciardo’s career.

Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool

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